We are pleased to announce the publication (online at this stage) of the following short communication in Mammalian Biology: First mitochondrial DNA analysis of the spectacled porpoise (Phocoena dioptrica) from Tierra del Fuego, Argentina Lida E. Pimper, R. Natalie P. Goodall and M. Isabel Remis. Abstract The spectacled porpoise (Phocoena dioptrica, Lahille, 1912) is one of the cetacean species about which least is known. Most information on the biology and ecology of this species has been obtained from stranded specimens and sightings at sea. In this study, analysis of 380 bp fragment of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences (N = 50) was performed to provide a preliminary assessment of the genetic variation in spectacled porpoise specimens found stranded or by caught on the coast of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Results showed high levels of mtDNA diversity, as expected in large size and stable populations, and similar to other species of porpoises. The star-like shape phylogeny of haplotypes indicates a recent population expansion. This is the first report on the genetic variation of this species. Other lines of evidence (microsatellite loci, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs)) are needed to improve our knowledge on the molecular biology of the spectacled porpoise. Keywords Phocoena dioptrica; Spectacled porpoise; mtDNA variation; Tierra del Fuego; Argentina Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2012.02.002 regards, Lida E. Pimper Postdoctoral Research Fellow Laboratorio de Genética de la Estructura Poblacional. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Buenos Aires. Argentina. Museo Acatushún de Aves y Mamíferos Marinos Australes. Tierra del Fuego. Argentina. Tel: +5411-4576-3300 int. 219 FAX: +5411-4576-3354 email: liditas@gmail.com / liditas@ege.fcen.uba.ar http://www.ege.fcen.uba.ar