We isolated seven microsatellite sequences from a library of recombinant clones in Rissa tridactyla (Laridae). We investigated their polymorphism in one population from France. Preliminary results indicate that these markers should prove valuable tools for the study of mating systems, population genetic structure and dispersal abilities in this seabird species. We present the results of cross-species amplification for two seabird species: Uria aalge (Alcidae) and Stercorarius parasiticus (Stercorariidae). Some of the microsatellites isolated in R. tridactyla might be useful for studies on other seabird species.
