©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 14 (3): 7986-7989 (2015) Characterization of microsatellite markers for the Restinga Antwren, Formicivora littoralis (Thamnophilidae), an endangered bird endemic to Brazil F.G. Chaves 1 , M.B. Vecchi 2 , M.S. Webster 3 and M.A.S. Alves 2 1 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil 2 Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio Janeiro, RJ, Brasil 3 Neurobiology and Behavior Department, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA Corresponding authors: F.G. Chaves / M.A.S. Alves flaviagchaves@yahoo.com.br / masaal@globo.com Genet. Mol. Res. 14 (3): 7986-7989 (2015) Received October 13, 2014 Accepted March 11, 2015 Published July 17, 2015 DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.4238/2015.July.17.6 ABSTRACT. Molecular markers are important tools in determining parentage, gene flow, and the genetic structure of species. In the case of rare, endemic, and/or threatened species, these markers can be used to understand key ecological questions and support conservation actions. We developed seven microsatellite markers for the only bird endemic to the Restinga ecosystem. Microsatellite loci were isolated from a library that was based on 10 individuals (six males and four females). Primers were tested in 107 individuals of the same population. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 19, and the observed and expected heterozygosity varied from 0.15 to 0.84 and from 0.60 to Research Note