title: Influence of religion and birthplace on the genetic structure of Northern Ireland.
abstract: The effect of geographic and religious subdivision on the genetic structure of Northern Ireland was assessed using data on 10 craniofacial measurements collected on 755 adult males that were born in five counties and belonged to one of three religious affiliations (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian). Fifteen samples were defined based on birth county and religious affiliation. Two-way univariate and multivariate analysis of variance shows significant effects of birth county and religious affiliation, with somewhat greater subdivision due to religion. Distance matrix correlations reveal a small, but significant, effect of birth county and religious affiliation on the pattern of genetic distances between the 15 samples, with a slightly greater influence of religion. The Church of Ireland samples show the greatest differences. perhaps revealing the combined influence of differential population origins and religious differences as a barrier to gene flow. Overall, religion has a significant, though minor, influence on genetic variation in Northern Ireland.
authors.affiliation: State University of New York College at Oneonta, 13820, USA.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Relethford
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Crawford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002410:Catholicism; D002835:Christianity; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009660:Northern Ireland; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology