Isolation and characterisation of DNA from whale bone

DNA was extracted from a sperm whale rib bone, and an ear bone from an unid entified large baleen whale. Prior to extraction the two bones had been sub jected to various environmental conditions resulting in limited decompositi on of the bone material. Specific mitochondrial DNA sequences were amplifie d from the extracts using the technique of polymerase chain reaction. Subse quent sequencing of these products confirmed that the rib bone was indeed f rom a sperm whale, and that the ear bone was from a blue whale. The results show that genetic information can be obtained from whale bones that have b een exposed to the elements.