Argopecten purpuratus is an economically important marine bivalve. Twelve microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in 20 individuals of A. purpuratus collected in Isla Independencia (Pisco, Peru) and tested for cross-species amplification in other 4 scallops (family Pectinidae). Ten loci were polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 13. The observed (H O) and expected (H E) heterozygosities ranged from 0.100 to 0.900 and from 0.185 to 0.903, respectively. Two loci showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. A low rate of cross-species amplification was found. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011.