We screened 74 published microsatellite primers in Ambystoma annulatum, a species for which no microsatellite markers have been developed. Overall, we had a moderate success rate, identifying 11 polymorphic microsatellites previously developed in four different species of Ambystoma. We also conducted a review of the literature, collecting all published cross-species applications of microsatellite markers within the genus Ambystoma. From this, we identified 20 loci that have amplified in three or more species. Our synthesis of microsatellite use within the genus Ambystoma should prove valuable to future molecular research, especially in species without developed markers and for studies in species that may already have microsatellites, but are being conducted far from the region where individuals were collected for original development of species-specific loci.