Previous behavioral observations of Loligo pealeii revealed the potential for multiple paternity within individual egg capsules, each containing 100 to 300 eggs. Five egg capsules, sampled from 3 nearshore locations over 2 yr, were tested for multiple paternity using 3 microsatellite loci. The minimum number of potential fathers was derived from the number of different alleles present in the progeny. All 5 egg capsules exhibited multiple paternity: genetic markers of at least 4 fathers were found in 2 egg capsules; at least 3 fathers were found in 1 egg capsule, and at least 2 fathers were found in the remaining 2 egg capsules. KEY WORDS: Microsatellites · Multiple paternity · Loligo · Mating systems · FisheryResale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher

Six microsatellite loci are described for the squid Loligo pealeii. All loci exhibit some degree of allelic diversity. The pattern of inheritance was tested for 3 loci through an analysis of the filial genotypes from a female-male mating. At all 3 loci, the ratios of the filial genotypes conformed to the ratios expected by Mendelian inheritance. The hypervariable loci will be useful in studies on sexual selection in this species, whereas the relatively less variable loci will be useful to address questions of population structure.