Identification and delineation of species and stocks are significant components of management and conservation plans for marine mammals in US waters. In this program, research focuses on the molecular genetics of marine mammals. We use molecular techniques including the polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing, microsatellites, SNPs, and AFLPs to study evolutionary histories of cetacean species. A large portion of our research involves examining population structure, present and past, and delineating stocks of marine mammals in the Northwest Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico for conservation and management. A new focus area is the study of genetic variability in immunity in bottlenose dolphins for integration into larger health assessment studies in this species. In addition, we are interested in examining and/or estimating phylogenetic relationships, social and breeding structures, and the relatedness of individuals within groups or populations.