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Origin of Mayans according to HLA genes and the uniqueness of Amerindians
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2004
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Latin American ArchaeologyPhylogeneticsNatural SciencesGeneticsEvolutionary BiologyHuman OriginHla GenesAnthropology
Mixe have been linked to Mayans only through linguistic similarities. The study examined HLA allele frequencies in 12,364 chromosomes from 6,182 individuals across 60 populations, comparing Mayans to other Amerindians and global groups. The analysis revealed that Mayans are genetically closest to the Arhuac group, distinct from Zapotec, Mixe, and Mixtec populations, with high frequencies of DRB1*0407 and DRB1*0802 suggesting a founder effect, and identified novel Mayan‑specific HLA haplotypes, while showing limited external genetic input and a lack of full correlation between language and genetics.
Abstract: The HLA allele frequency distribution of the Mayans from Guatemala was studied and compared with those of other First American Natives and worldwide populations (a total of 12,364 chromosomes and 6182 individuals from 60 different populations). The main conclusions were ( 1 ): the closest Amerindian group to Mayans is the Arhuacs, who were the first recorded Caribbean Islands' inhabitants ( 2 ). Mayans are not so close to Mesoamerican Zapotec, Mixe and Mixtec Amerindians, who genetically cluster together. Mixe had been related to Mayans only on linguistic bases ( 3 ). DRB1*0407 and DRB1*0802 alleles are found in 50% of Mayans; these alleles are also found in other Amerindians, but the Mayans' high frequencies may be showing a founder effect for this Mesoamerican‐Caribbean population ( 4 ). Extended Mayan specific HLA haplotypes are described for the first time ( 5 ). Language and genes do not completely correlate in microgeographical studies ( 6 ). Significant genetic input from outside is not noticed in Meso and South American Amerindians according to the genetic analyses; while all world populations (including Africans, Europeans, Asians, Australians, Polynesians, North American Na‐Dene Indians and Eskimos) are genetically related. Meso and South American Amerindians tend to remain isolated in the neighbour joining analyses.