# Eight Novel Microsatellite Loci in a Declining Grassland Songbird, the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)

## TL;DR

This paper introduces ten new microsatellite loci for studying the genetics of the declining Bobolink bird species.

## Contribution

The paper presents ten new polymorphic microsatellite loci specifically for Bobolinks, a species with no prior genetic analysis tools.

## Key findings

- Ten new polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for Bobolinks.
- At least eight loci are reliable for future genetic studies and monitoring.
- The loci were tested on 152 individuals from a well-studied population in Vermont.

## Abstract

Microsatellite loci in non‐coding regions of nuclear DNA provide an important tool for genetic diversity research, particularly when comparing relatedness between individuals. While microsatellites have been developed for several species within the Blackbird family (Icteridae), no species‐specific microsatellite primers for genetic analysis of Bobolinks (
Dolichonyx oryzivorus
) exist. Like many grassland songbirds, Bobolink populations are in decline, and accessible genetic analysis tools are therefore critical for understanding population dynamics. This paper introduces ten new, polymorphic microsatellite loci, at least eight of which should provide a reliable tool for the future study and monitoring of Bobolink genetics. These hypervariable and thus highly informative loci were amplified in 152 adult individuals from a well‐studied population in Shelburne, Vermont, USA.

This paper introduces ten new polymorphic microsatellite loci for genetic analysis of Bobolinks (
Dolichonyx oryzivorus
, Family Icteridae), which, like many grassland songbirds, are declining across their native range in North and South America. The informativeness of these hypervariable loci was confirmed based on the genotyping of 152 adult individuals from a well‐studied population in Shelburne, Vermont, USA. These loci will provide an important tool for assessing relatedness between individuals and monitoring population dynamics over time.