Characterization of 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci for White-breasted mesites (Mesitornis variegata)

We characterized 10 specific microsatellite loci for White-breasted mesites (Mesitornis variegata), an endemic bird species from western Madagascar. Nine loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and we detected 4–10 alleles per locus (mean = 6.1). These primers will be used to study the mating system and social organization of White-breasted mesites and may have applications for the conservation of the few remaining populations of this vulnerable and still poorly studied species.