The use of microsatellites for genetic analysis of natural populations

Microsatellites, tandemly repeated units of 2 to 5 bp are distributed throughout eukaryotic genomes. Length variation within microsatellites, caused by DNA slippage, can be amplified by PCR and used for DNA profiling. In this paper potential applications and limitations of this technique are discussed. Two case studies for pilot whales (Globicephala melas) and sheep (Ovis aries) exemplify the suitability of microsatellites for analyzing natural populations. Other currently available profiling techniques are compared to microsatellite analysis.