Microsatellites are short, repetitive sequences of DNA, typically consisting of 1 to 6 base pairs that are repeated multiple times in a row. They are highly variable among individuals within a population, making them useful for measuring genetic variation and studying population genetics. Because of their high mutation rates and ease of amplification through polymerase chain reaction (PCR), microsatellites are popular markers in evolutionary biology for analyzing genetic diversity, population structure, and relatedness among individuals.
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