Microsatellite DNA, also known as short tandem repeats (STRs), refers to a segment of DNA that is repeated in a tandem pattern. There are various other terms used as synonyms for microsatellite DNA, including simple sequence repeat (SSR), short sequence repeat (SSR), and VNTR (variable number tandem repeat). STR loci are highly polymorphic, which makes them ideal for genetic analysis, such as population studies, paternity testing, and forensics. They are also used in various fields, including ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation genetics, to study genetic diversity, gene flow, and other population genetics parameters. Despite different nomenclatures, microsatellite DNA has proved to be a valuable tool for molecular biology research over the last several decades.