Polymorphic microsatellite loci forLittorina plenashow no population structure between the eastern and western coasts of Vancouver Island, Canada

Abstract

Marine snails of the genus Littorina are found on rocky intertidal shores throughout the north Atlantic and north Pacific oceans and comprise 19 species (Reid, 1996). This genus is commonly used for population genetic studies; Littorina species typically have separate sexes, moderately short generation times, low adult dispersal rates and large intertidal populations, making them convenient for comparative genetic studies (Berger, 1973;