Molecular Ecology Notes (2004) 4, 500–502 doi: 10.1111/j.1471-8286.2004.00726.x

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite markers have been developed for the European bee-eater, Merops apiaster (Coraciiformes: Meropidae). Screening of eight individuals at these loci showed that the average allelic diversity was 5.8, with a range of two to 11 alleles per locus. The loci reported here will provide insight into the levels of extra-pair parentage, kin selection and dispersal in this species, which has co-operative breeding and nests in large colonies