Demography, genetic diversity, and population relationships among Argentinean Mapuche Indians

Abstract

Fertility, mortality and migration data from four Mapuche Indian communities located along a 215-km NE-SW linear area in the Province of Río Negro, Argentina, were collated with genetic information furnished by nine blood group systems and by mtDNA haplogroups. The demographic and genetic data indicated a clear dichotomy, which split the four populations into two groups of two. Differing degrees of non-Indian exchanges was probably the main determining factor for this separation. Total genetic variability was very similar in all groups, and the interpopulational variability accounted for only 10% of the total variability. A low prevalence of the Diego(a) antigen among the Mapuche was confirmed. The fact that significant genetic heterogeneity and population clusters were found in such a small territorial region attests to the sensitivity of demographic and genetic approaches in unraveling human history.

Genetic relationships between Amerindian populations of Argentina

“…The present sample was obtained at four localities, as follows: 1) Aguada Guzmá n (68°57ЈW, 39°30ЈS); 2) Cerro Policia (68°37ЈW, 39°10ЈS); 3) Blancura Centro (69°20ЈW, 40°30ЈS), the three at the Department of El Cuy; and 4) Anecón Grande (70°22ЈW, 41°20ЈS), Department of 25 de Mayo. More detailed information about these localities, the people living there, and the sample distributions can be found in Goicoechea et al (2000).…”

HLA-DRB1 alleles in four Amerindian populations from Argentina and Paraguay

“…These facts could partly explain most of the genetic diversity observed in the Mapuche and Tehuelche Indians. In this sense, it is also known that in the communities of Aguada Guzmán and Cerro Policía there was a strong gene flow with non-Amerindians, due to the contacts established with people from urban centres such as the city of General Roca (Province of Río Negro) ( Goicoechea et al , 2000 ). Regarding the Tehuelche community of El Chalía, the presence of Europeans can be verified by the historical and demographic information available, given that they participated as colonists in the foundation of this settlement ( Carnese et al , 2002 ).…”