Our group is devoted to providing relevant information on the genetics of marine animals. In many marine mammals, there is not just a diversity of species, but also a variety of genetic types within species.
Although these genetic types may look similar, they can have different habitats, feeding behaviors, and life histories. Both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act recognize the importance of conserving these different genetic types.
When different genetic types are contained within a population, that population is said to have genetic structure. We assist in determining, through advanced laboratory and statistical techniques, whether, and how much genetic structure there is in populations of marine mammals. This information can be used to ensure that the genetic diversity in these valuable marine resources is maintained.
To learn more about the Marine Mammal Genetics Program, check out our mission statement, along with a more detailed explanation of conservation issues surrounding marine mammal genetics.
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