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The variation of 18 Alu polymorphisms and 3 linked STRs was determined in 1,831 individuals from 15 Mediterranean populations to analyze the rela- tionships between human groups in this geographical region and provide a complementary perspective to information from studies based on uniparental markers. Patterns of population diversity revealed by the two kinds of markers examined were different from one another, likely in relation to their different mutation rates. There- fore, while the Alu biallelic variation underlies general heterogeneity throughout the whole Mediterranean region, the combined use of Alu and STR points to a con- siderable genetic differentiation between the two Mediter- ranean shores, presumably strengthened by a consider- able sub-Saharan African genetic contribution in North Africa (around 13% calculated from Alu markers). Gene flow analysis confirms the permeability of the Sahara to human passage along with the existence of trans-Mediter- ranean interchanges. Two specific Alu/STR combina- tions—CD4 110(2) and DM 107(2)—detected in all North African samples, the Iberian Peninsula, Greece, Turkey, and some Mediterranean islands suggest an ancient genetic background of current Mediterranean peoples. Am J Phys Anthropol 141:430-439, 2010. V C 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
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