Genetic Affinities of Oceanic Populations based on RFLP and haplotype analysis of genetic loci on three chromosomes

Abstract

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms at the renin and factor 13B loci located at chromosome lq32-lq42 were studied in 14 ethnic groups in the west Pacific region. The allele frequencies were combined with previously described 13-globin and albuminvitamin D binding protein haplotype frequencies and used to assess genetic affinities among eight major ethnic-geographic groups in this region. These population groups divide into two clusters with Australian Aborigines, Island Melanesians, and Highland Melanesians forming one cluster and east Asians, Southeast Asians, Micronesians, and Polynesians forming the other. The results indicate that Micronesians and Polynesians are derived from populations in Southeast Asia and that they originated independently of the Melanesian populations. Show more