Genetic markers in four coastal Chilean locations Poblaciones costeras de Chile: Marcadores genéticos en cuatro localidades

Abstract

Background: Historical and anthropological data suggest the presence of descendents of Changos, Cuncos, Chonos and Yamanas, South American indian populations, in certain Chilean coastal villages. Aim: To assess the degree of South American indian admixture in Chilean coastal villages using protein markers, to complete the assessment of human biological diversity in Chile. Subjects and methods: ABO, Rh, MNS, Duffy and Kidd blood group systems were assessed in 47, 48, 55 and 24 individuals from Paposo, Carelmapu, Laitec and Ukika respectively. Phenotypic and gene frequencies were calculated. The degree of South American indian admixture was estimated from the ABO*O allele and Rh*dce haplotypes. Results: High frequencies of ABO*O, Fy*a, Jk*b alleles, Dec and Ms haplotypes were found in all villages, consistent with the pattern expected for South American Aboriginal populations. The highest presence of South American indian admixture was present in Laitec with 80% and in Ukika with 74%. Th