title: Genetic studies among seven endogamous populations of the Koshi Zone, Bihar (India).
abstract: The distribution of AB0 and Rhesus blood groups, PTC taste sensitivity and colour blindness was studied among seven endogamous populations (Tharu, Mushar, Santal, Dhobi, Julaha, Kulhaiya and Karan Kayastha) in the Koshi Zone of Bihar (India). The phenotype and allele frequencies of the four gene loci (AB0, RH, PTC and colour blindness) show considerable differences between these populations. The measurement of genetic distances revealed, that the lowest genetic distance is seen between Dhobi and Julaha, the highest between Mushar and Tharu. From the genetic distance analysis there is some evidence for a close genetic relationship among the population groups belonging to the same region, irrespective of their caste, religion, linguistic or any other affinities. It may be concluded that all these populations have arisen through a common ancestor and changed gene frequencies among them is due to evolutionary forces like mutation, selection, migration, temporal variation and genetic drift. However, these populations retain their separate entities by practising endogamy. Gene diversity analysis reveals that these populations are at an early stage of genetic differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Eco-Genetical Research Laboratory, P.G. Department of Zoology, Purnia College, Purnia, India.
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Husain
authors.forename: Md Rauf
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Anwer
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Jha
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003117:Color Vision Defects / Q000235:genetics*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D005828:Genetics, Population; D005843:Geography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics*; D012923:Social Class; D012934:Social Isolation; D013649:Taste / Q000235:genetics; D013652:Taste Threshold
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System