Characterization of 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci in weathervane scallop Patinopecten caurinus

Discrete and commercially important patches of weathervane scallops (Patinopecten caurinus) are found in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Little is known about weathervane scallop life history and population structure, but the species is vulnerable to overexploitation because of their large size and long lifespan. Here we describe 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci developed to study the relatedness of these discrete patches. All loci were polymorphic in the 32 individuals tested; the number of alleles range from four to 26 and heterozygosities ranged from 0.437 to 1.000.