The present study is the first attempt to use molecular tools for identification of marine
mammals in India. The objective was to develop a database of genetic sequences for future
marine mammal research in addition to confirming the species identity of cetaceans and dugongs
using a molecular approach. Partial sequencing of mitochondrial DNA loci was carried out in
accidentally caught/stranded specimens of Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), Pantropical
spotted dolphin/bridled dolphin (Stenella attenuata), Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus),
Long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis), Indopacific humpbacked dolphin (Sousa
chinensis), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), Finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides),
Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Bryde’s whale
(Balaenoptera edeni) and Dugong (Dugong dugon). Molecular identification of species was
done by phylogenetic reconstruction of the sequences using portals GenBank and DNA
Surveillance. Apart from ratifying their morphological identification, the analysis was able to
distinguish specimens that otherwise, could not have been identified using conventional
approaches. Phylogenetic analysis of the Sousa-Stenella-Tursiops-Delphinus group indicated
more or less robust monophyly for all species in this complex, except Delphinus capensis. A
sister-group relationship for Sperm whales and Baleen whales was evident, that would place the
former closer to the latter than to any other group of toothed whales