RARE VARIANTS, PRIVATE POLYMORPHISMS, AND LOCUS HETEROZYGOSITY IN AMERINDIAN POPULATIONS

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (5) , 465-490
Abstract
The results of 21,103 electrophoretic typings distributed across 28 polypeptides in members of 12 Amerindian tribes are reported, and the accumulated results of electrophoretic studies on these same polypeptides in 21 Amerindian tribes are then analyzed. Thus far 11 private polymorphisms were identified in these tribes. When the tribal samples are combined and traits achieving polymorphic proportions in the total sample excluded from consideration, the average frequency of rare variants is 2.8 per 1000 determinations. For a subset of 23 of these polypeptides also studied in Caucasians and Japanese, variant frequencies per 1000 determinations are: Indians, 2.2; Caucasians (British), 1.6; and Japanese, 1.5. Average locus heterogeneity for these polypeptides (based on rare variants plus polymorphisms) is: Indians, .049; Caucasians, .078; and Japanese, .077. A higher proportion of loci are monomorphic within tribes than within civilized urban populations. For inferences concerning the forces maintaining genetic variability within populations, studies on samples from tribal people are much more appropriate than studies on samples from civilized urban populations.