Microsatellite variation in Central Africa

An analysis of intrapopulational and interpopulational genetic diversity

Datos Bibliográficos

ID8317952
AutoresGiovanni Destro Bisol (0000-0002-4232-9715, Sapienza University of Rome, autor de correspondencia), Giovanni Destro-Bisol, Ilaria Boschi (0000-0001-9664-6268, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore), A Caglià (0000-0002-3586-3573, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore), Sergio Tofanelli (0000-0002-7399-9308, University of Pisa), Vincenzo Pascali, Vincenzo L Pascali (0000-0001-6520-5224, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore), Giorgio Paoli (University of Pisa), Gabriella Spedini (Sapienza University of Rome)
Año2000
Volumen112
Número3
Páginas319-337
Fecha de publicación2000-07-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/1096-8644(200007)112:3<319::aid-ajpa4>3.0.co;2-f
PMID10861350
OpenAlexW2025358860
IdiomaIT
Citas recibidas10
Referencias citadas49

As a part of a research project on molecular variation in Central Africa, we have analyzed 10 microsatellites (CD4, CSFO, D3S1358, D18S51, D21S11, F13A1, FES, TH01, TPOX, and VWA) in the Bamileke and Ewondo from Cameroon and the Sanga and Mbenzele Pygmies from the Central African Republic (a total of 390 chromosomes). A statistically significant trend towards heterozygote deficiency was detected in the Mbenzele Pygmies. This was established through the use of powerful exact tests for the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. A certain degree of isolation and a small effective size may explain this finding. However, the lack of any substantial reduction in allelic diversity in the Mbenzele does not support the possibility that this group has a smaller effective size in evolutionary terms. A possible explanation based on ethnographic studies suggests that the gene flow from non-Pygmies to Pygmies could have been interrupted only in relatively recent times. The analysis of association between genotypes at pairs of independent loci indicates that the level of subheterogeneity is markedly lower in the Bamileke than in other sampled populations. This may be explained by the combined effect of larger population size, more rigid respect of clanic exogamy, and higher matrimonial mobility of the Bamileke. Finally, we have analyzed interpopulational relationships among our sampled populations and other Central African populations. The results are consistent with a previous study of protein loci (Spedini et al. 1999), which suggests the recent history of the Bamileke and Ewondo has led them to aquire a substantial genetic similarity. Furthermore, the Mbenzele Pygmies diverge from Biaka Pygmies, despite their common origin and geographical proximity. This is probably due to the differentiating effect of genetic drift, which is enhanced by the small effective size of Pygmy populations.

Allele · Biology · Effective population size · Evolutionary biology · Gene · Gene flow · Genetic diversity · Genetic variation · Microsatellite · Population · Sociology · Zoology · Demography · Forensic and Genetic Research · Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock · Genetic diversity and population structure · Genetics