BLOOD GROUPS OF INDIANS FROM SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL

Blood groups in Native Americans: a look beyond ABO and Rh

The study presents comparisons between blood group frequencies beyond ABO and Rh blood systems in Native American populations and previously published data from Brazilian blood donors. The frequencies of Diego (c.2561C>T, rs2285644), Kell (c.578C>T, rs8176058), Duffy (c.125A>G, rs12075, c.1-67T>C, rs2814778) and Kidd (c.838A>G, rs1058396) variants in Kaingang (n=72) and Guarani (n=234) populations from Brazil (1990-2000) were obtained and compared with data from these populations sampled during the 1960s and with individuals of different Brazilian regions. Data showed high frequencies of DI*01 and FY*01 alleles: 11.8% and 57.6% in Kaingang and 6.8% and 75.7% in Guarani groups, respectively. The main results indicated: (1) reduction in genetic distance over time of Kaingang and Guarani in relation to other Brazilian populations is suggestive of ongoing admixture; (2) significant differences in some frequencies of blood group markers (especially Diego, Kidd and Duffy) in relation to Native Americans and individuals from different geographical regions of Brazil. Our study shows that the frequency of red blood cell polymorphisms in two Native American groups is very different from that of blood donors, when we evaluated blood groups different from ABO and Rh systems, suggesting that a better ethnic characterization of blood unit receptors is necessary.

Patterns and correlates of genetic variation in South Amerindians

Gene frequency data from six polymorphic blood group systems in 70 South American Indian populations are used to derive synthetic gene frequency maps that document the geographical pattern of genetic variation. Additional analyses are directed toward the elucidation of mechanisms that give rise to or maintain the observed distributions. Variables of local ecology do not appear to explain gene frequency distributions in South America. Instead, local isolation and the action of stochastic forces appears to be the most parsimonious explanation of the observed geographical patterns. This is distinctly different from the geographical patterns of genetic variation seen in other continents.

Genetic variation in Bougainville and Solomon Islands populations

This paper reports the findings of genetic variation in eight populations of the Solomon Islands. Blood specimens collected from 345 Aita, 191 Nasioi and 416 Nagovisi of Bougainville, 379 Lau, 453 Baegu and 385 Kwaio of Malaita, and 504 Ontong Java, and 328 Ulawa subjects were tested for A-B-O, M-N-S-s, Rh, Hp, Tf, secretor, and red-cell acid phosphatase systems. Considerable differences were found among the eight populations with respect to all polymorphic systems studied. It was not possible to distinguish Austronesian groups from non-Austronesian groups on the basis of gene frequencies.

The Caingang revisited: blood genetics and anthropometry

A total of 248 individuals belonging to four populations of Caingang Indians from southern Brazil were studied in relation to 23 genetic systems that are expressed in blood and one manifested on saliva. These results were compared with those obtained in 400 members of these same communities that were subjected to 11 body measurements. Nine polymorphic loci (MNSs, P, Rh, Duffy, Diego, Hp, PGM1, ESD, and Gc) were chosen for the calculation of the genetic distances between the four populations, which were compared with Mahalanobis's D2 differences. The two sets of values proved to be intercorrelated but neither showed a relationship with the geographic distances separating the four communities. The Caingang were previously classified linguistically as Gê, and they show several affinities with the Gê tribes, both when hematological, and morphological, characteristics are considered. A variant PGD phenotype is also described, showing a curious storage effect.

Gammaglobulin factors (Gm and Inv) in New Guinea: anthropological significance

Analysis of the hereditary Gm and Inv gamma-globulin factors of 1669 New Guineans from the Morobe and Eastern Highlands districts and Bougainville Island demonstrates thatthe frequencies of the three Gm alleles present (Gm(a), GM(ab), and Gm(ax)) are similar in general to those in Mongoloids and in particular to those in Southeast Asians and Micronesians. The New Guinea frequencies are distinct from those in other populations, including Australian aborigines. Highly significant differences in frequencies of Gm and Inv alleles occur between Melanesian-and non-Austronesian-speaking New Guineans.