Abstract
We employ microsatellite markers to assess mating tactics in Lepomis marginatus . Genetic assignments for 1015 progeny in 23 nests indicate that about 95% of the offspring were sired by their respective nest‐guardians, a finding consistent with the apparent absence of a brood parasitic morphotype in this species. Allopaternal care was documented in two nests, one resulting from a nest takeover, the other from cuckoldry by an adjoining nest‐tender. Clustered de novo mutations also were identified. About 2.5 females (range 1–7) contributed to the offspring pool within a typical nest. Results are compared to those for other Lepomis species.