Isolation and characterization of 7 microsatellite loci for the Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana)

21 Despite long-term scientific interest in the Florida Burrowing Owl, little is known about key 22 aspects of its ecology that likely influence population persistence. This is a cause of alarm 23 considering that the Florida Burrowing Owl has been designated a “Species of Special Concern” 24 since 1979. Therefore, seven microsatellite loci were developed and characterized for 48 Florida 25 Burrowing Owls. All loci were polymorphic and six of them differed significantly from Hardy26 Weinberg expectations. Although preliminary, the number of loci out of HW equilibrium may 27 result from low population size and resultant non-random mating that could be caused by habitat 28 fragmentation as development has ensued. 29