Rate of Sequence Divergence Estimated from Restriction Maps of Mitochondrial DNAs from Papua New Guinea

Abstract

mtDNA, by virtue of its strictly maternal mode of inheritance and rapid rate of evolution (Wilson et al. 1985), is a source of new perspectives on the origin and history of our species (Brown 1980; Johnson et al. 1983; Cann et al. 1984, 1986; Horai et al. 1984; Cann 1985; Wallace et al. 1985; Bonné-Tamir et al. 1986; Horai and Matsunaga 1986; Stoneking et al. 1986). Among the most provocative findings to arise from these studies is the suggestion by Cann et al. (1986) that all of the mtDNA diversity in modern human populations can be traced back to a common female ancestor who lived in Africa 150,000–300,000 years ago.