Genetic polymorphisms of 15 STR loci in the population of the island of Cres (Croatia).
BACKGROUND
The population of the island of Cres presents one of the few persisting Eastern Adriatic isolates and is thereby suitable for human population differentiation analyses.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyse the genetic structure of the island of Cres with respect to its eight sub-populations and to compare the genetic variation of the island of Cres with other Eastern Adriatic islands and the Croatian mainland.


METHODS
Fifteen AmpFlSTR identifiler loci were analysed in a sample group of 122 unrelated autochthonous individuals from the island of Cres, Croatia.


RESULTS
Analysis of STR polymorphisms revealed genetic homogeneity among sub-populations of the island of Cres and small but significant levels of genetic heterogeneity among geographically distant Eastern Adriatic islands.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a considerable degree of genetic homogeneity among the studied Eastern Adriatic islands, small but significant differentiation between distant islands indicates geographic sub-structuring which follows the isolation by distance model. This study is supportive of the notion that STR markers are useful for genetic differentiation between larger and geographically more distant regions.
Novokmet
Natalija
N
Institute for Anthropological Research, Gajeva 32, Zagreb, Croatia. natalija.novokmet@inantro.hr
Marjanović
Damir
D
Skaro
Vedrana
V
Projić
Petar
P
Lauc
Gordan
G
Grahovac
Blaženka
B
Ostojić
Saša
S
Kapović
Miljenko
M
Rudan
Pavao
P
D000483:Alleles; D017523:Croatia; D005787:Gene Frequency; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic