We are about to embark on a second round of killer whale phylogenetic analyses on a global scale (see Morin et al. 2010. Complete mitochondrial genome analysis of killer whales (/Orcinus orca/) indicates multiple species. Genome Research 20:908-916.), and we want to expand our geographical coverage. To that end, we are interested in obtaining skin biopsy samples from killer whales from just about anywhere around the world but especially from lower latitudes or anywhere in the Indian Ocean. We are primarily interested in soft tissue samples but we can work with teeth samples from poorly represented areas. The soft tissue samples (primarily skin) should be either frozen, or preserved in either alcohol or a DMSO solution (no formalin). If you have, or know of, killer whale tissue samples that could be made available for this project please contact: phil.morin@noaa.gov <mailto:phil.morin@noaa.gov> Thank you - Bob Pitman -- ********************* Robert L. Pitman Protected Resources Division Southwest Fisheries Science Center National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive La Jolla, California 92037 858-546-7092 phone 858-546-7003 fax robert.pitman@noaa.gov http://swfsc.noaa.gov/prd.aspx *********************