Origin and genetic differentiation of three Native Mexican groups (Purépechas, Triquis and Mayas): contribution of CODIS-STRs to the history of human populations of Mesoamerica.
BACKGROUND
CODIS-STRs in Native Mexican groups have rarely been analysed for human identification and anthropological purposes.


OBJECTIVE
To analyse the genetic relationships and population structure among three Native Mexican groups from Mesoamerica.


METHODS
531 unrelated Native individuals from Mexico were PCR-typed for 15 and 9 autosomal STRs (Identifiler™ and Profiler™ kits, respectively), including five population samples: Purépechas (Mountain, Valley and Lake), Triquis and Yucatec Mayas. Previously published STR data were included in the analyses.


RESULTS
Allele frequencies and statistical parameters of forensic importance were estimated by population. The majority of Native groups were not differentiated pairwise, excepting Triquis and Purépechas, which was attributable to their relative geographic and cultural isolation. Although Mayas, Triquis and Purépechas-Mountain presented the highest number of private alleles, suggesting recurrent gene flow, the elevated differentiation of Triquis indicates a different origin of this gene flow. Interestingly, Huastecos and Mayas were not differentiated, which is in agreement with the archaeological hypothesis that Huastecos represent an ancestral Maya group. Interpopulation variability was greater in Natives than in Mestizos, both significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Although results suggest that European admixture has increased the similarity between Native Mexican groups, the differentiation and inconsistent clustering by language or geography stresses the importance of serial founder effect and/or genetic drift in showing their present genetic relationships.
Martínez-Cortés
G
G
Instituto de Investigación en Genética Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Médicas y de la Vida, Centro Universitario de la Ciénega, Universidad de Guadalajara, Ocotlán, Jalisco, Mexico.
Nuño-Arana
I
I
Rubi-Castellanos
R
R
Vilchis-Dorantes
G
G
Luna-Vázquez
A
A
Coral-Vázquez
R M
RM
Canto-Cetina
T
T
Salazar-Flores
J
J
Muñoz-Valle
J F
JF
Sandoval-Mendoza
K
K
López
Z
Z
Gamero-Lucas
J J
JJ
Rangel-Villalobos
H
H
D003710:Demography; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics*; D053803:Forensic Genetics; D005784:Gene Amplification; D051456:Gene Flow; D005787:Gene Frequency; D040961:Genetic Drift; D005819:Genetic Markers; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D005843:Geography; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000235:genetics*; D008800:Mexico; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
D005819:Genetic Markers