Microsatellite loci for the okapi (Okapia johnstoni)

We describe 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the okapi (Okapia johnstoni). These markers were tested with 20 samples collected from a number of populations and exhibited a mean of 6.1 alleles per locus and a mean expected heterozygosity of 0.759. All but one locus was in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and no evidence for linkage disequilibrium was detected between any loci. These loci will be useful for the future study of population genetic diversity and genetic structure in this elusive and emblematic species.