Genetic structure of native Andean populations from Argentina inhabiting different altitudes

DARIO A. DEMARCHI; CLARIA, DALMIRA; DIPIERRI, JOSÉ; GARDENAL, CRISTINA

HUMAN BIOLOGY

Wayne State University Press

Lugar: Detroit; Año: 2000 vol. 72 p. 519 - 525

0018-7143

On the basis of erythrocyte and serum protein polymorphisms, we investigated the level of genetic differentiation among three Argentinean native populations sharing ethnic and morphological characteristics but inhabiting different altitudes in the Andes.  Eight of the fifteen loci studied are monomorphic. Phenotype distribution of the polymorphic systems are in agreement with Hardy‑Weinberg equilibrium, except for  MOD, where  a silent allele was found. The two highland populations exhibit a  close genetic similarity,  probably  as a result of  intense gene flow.  The lowland population  shows a reduction in its genetic diversity, which suggests that  the differentiation of this from the two highland populations might be related to stochastic phenomena like the founder effect.