Ten novel dinucleotide microsatellite loci cloned from the Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus californianus wollebaeki) are polymorphic in other pinniped species

We isolated and characterized 10 novel dinucleotide microsatellite loci from the Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus californianus wollebaeki) and tested their amplification utility in four further otariid species (Zalophus californianus californianus, Arctocephalus gazella, Arctocephalus australis and Eumetopias jubatus) and three phocid species (Hydrurga leptonyx, Halichoerus grypus and Phoca vitulina). All of the loci amplified polymorphic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products in at least three species other than the Galapagos sea lion. These markers will be useful for studies of pinniped mating systems, genetic structure and genetic diversity.