title: Geographic patterns of genome admixture in Latin American Mestizos.
abstract: The large and diverse population of Latin America is potentially a powerful resource for elucidating the genetic basis of complex traits through admixture mapping. However, no genome-wide characterization of admixture across Latin America has yet been attempted. Here, we report an analysis of admixture in thirteen Mestizo populations (i.e. in regions of mainly European and Native settlement) from seven countries in Latin America based on data for 678 autosomal and 29 X-chromosome microsatellites. We found extensive variation in Native American and European ancestry (and generally low levels of African ancestry) among populations and individuals, and evidence that admixture across Latin America has often involved predominantly European men and both Native and African women. An admixture analysis allowing for Native American population subdivision revealed a differentiation of the Native American ancestry amongst Mestizos. This observation is consistent with the genetic structure of pre-Columbian populations and with admixture having involved Natives from the area where the Mestizo examined are located. Our findings agree with available information on the demographic history of Latin America and have a number of implications for the design of association studies in population from the region.
authors: The Galton Laboratory, Department of Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Sijia
authors: S
authors: Wang
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Ray
authors: Winston
authors: W
authors: Rojas
authors: Maria V
authors: MV
authors: Parra
authors: Gabriel
authors: G
authors: Bedoya
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Gallo
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Poletti
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: Mazzotti
authors: Kim
authors: K
authors: Hill
authors: Ana M
authors: AM
authors: Hurtado
authors: Beatriz
authors: B
authors: Camrena
authors: Humberto
authors: H
authors: Nicolini
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Klitz
authors: Ramiro
authors: R
authors: Barrantes
authors: Julio A
authors: JA
authors: Molina
authors: Nelson B
authors: NB
authors: Freimer
authors: Maria Cátira
authors: MC
authors: Bortolini
authors: Francisco M
authors: FM
authors: Salzano
authors: Maria L
authors: ML
authors: Petzl-Erler
authors: Luiza T
authors: LT
authors: Tsuneto
authors: José E
authors: JE
authors: Dipierri
authors: Emma L
authors: EL
authors: Alfaro
authors: Graciela
authors: G
authors: Bailliet
authors: Nestor O
authors: NO
authors: Bianchi
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Llop
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Rothhammer
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Excoffier
authors: Andrés
authors: A
authors: Ruiz-Linares
mesh_terms: D044467:American Indian or Alaska Native / Q000235:genetics*; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics; D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D015894:Genome, Human; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics*