New studies on the Macushi Indians of northern Brazil

Abstract

Demographic data and genetic information concerning 40 genetic systems are reported for three populations of Macushi Indians, and have been compared to those already obtained for three other communities of this tribe. These are young populations (mean age, 19 years), with a low sex ratio (90), low percentages of non-Indian ancestry (1-2%) and of marriages between locally born persons (34). Intertribal unions (14%) are less frequent than among their neighbours, the Wapishana. Fertility is high (average of 8.2 children per woman who completed reproduction), but the variance in family size and the frequency of premature deaths relatively low for populations at this cultural level. This conditions the lowest Index of Opportunity for Selection (0.45) calculated thus far among South American Indians. No variation was observed in 20 genetic systems, limited variation in 3, and larger variability in the remaining 17. In 13 of the 29 comparisons (45%), the Macushi gene frequencies present values in the middle third of the range observed among South American Indians. The previously reported private genetic polymorphism of esterase A was encountered in one of the three villages. A comparison of the genetic distances between villages with and without this polymorphism, and a similar comparison for the villages of the neighbouring Wapishana, yields no clue as to the tribe in which this polymorphism originated.

Gm haplotype distribution in Amerindians: Relationship with geography and language

“…On the negative side, the absence of commercially readily available antisera and the complexity of the typing procedures restrict its use. The presence of two concomitant nomenclatures and the varied number of re-Heavy chain localization Subclass Domain (3) tn Glm (17) (2) G2m (23) (n) G3m (5) (bl) G3m (6) (c3) G3m (10) (b5) G3m (11) (bO) G3m (13) (b3) G3m (14) (b4) G3m (15) ( 8 ) G3m (16) (t) G3m (21) (g1) G3m (24) (c5)…”

Albumin genetic variability in South America: Population distribution and molecular studies

“…The number of non-Indian subjects tested in South America (23,839) is about 40% higher than the total number of Indians (Table 2). There are now 13 variants that (1994); Krahó, 193, Neel (1978); Macushi, 694, Neel et al (1977), Salzano et al (1984); Mundurucu, 361, Salzano et al (1991), Santos et al (1998); Noanama, 155, Kirk et al (1974); Pacaá s Novos, 222, Salzano et al (1985b); Palikour, 115, Santos et al (1998); Parakanã , 252, Black et al (1980Black et al ( , 1988; Quechua, 39, Modiano et al (1972); Sateré-Mawé, 170, Salzano et al (1985a);Surui, 198, Callegari-Jacques et al (1994), Salzano et al (1998); Tenharim, 20, Santos et al (1998);Ticuna, 761, Neel et al (1980); Urubu-Kaapor, 205, Black et al (1988); Waiã pi, 361, Tchen et al (1978), Black et al (1983); Wai Wai, 166, Callegari-Jacques et al (1996); Zoró, 76, Salzano et al (1998 Tables 1 and 2 is more meaningful when considered in the context of the information provided in Tables 3 and 4. The provisional assignment of Belém 2 to albumin México by direct electrophoretic comparisons in four buffer systems is rendered plausible by previous studies in which the structural studies confirmed the electrophoretic findings (see Arai et al, 1989), as well as by the present results concerning albumin Fortaleza.…”

“…3 1:Arends et al (1969); 2:Santos et al (1998); 3:Arends et al (1970),Tanis et al (1973); 4: Neel (1978); 5:Salzano et al (1974b),Geerdink et al (1974); 6:Neel et al (1997),Salzano et al (1980b); 7:Salzano et al (1990); 8:Weitkamp et al (1973a),Salzano et al (1997b); 9:Ferrell et al (1978); 10: Populations for which no variants were found (name, sample size, and reference): Apalai-Wayana, 129,Salzano et al (1988), Arara, 61,Salzano et al (1991); Araucano (Mapuche), 314,Haas et al (1985),Carnese et al (1996),Goicoechea et al (1998); Araweté, 112,Salzano et al (1991); Asurini, 158,Black et al (1988); Aymará , 1379,Ferrell et al (1980); Ayoreo, 358,Salzano et al (1978); Baniwa, 377,Mohrenweiser et al (1979); Cayapo, 993, Salzano et al (1972), Callegari-Jacques et al (1994), Santos et al (1998); Central Pano, 463; Johnston et al (1969), Mohrenweiser et al (1979); Cinta Larga, 92, Callegari-Jacques et al (1994); Cofan, 68, Kirk et al (1974); Emerillon, 51, Tchen et al (1978); Gaviã o, 182, Salzano et al (1998); Guahibo (Cuiva), 104, Tchen et al (1979); Guarani, 80,Salzano et al (1997a); Içana Indians, 148,Salzano et al (1986); Ingano, 41,Kirk et al (1974); Jamamadi, 37,Salzano et al (1991); Kaingang, 449, Salzano et al (1980a, 1997a; Kanamari, 100,Mohrenweiser et al (1979); Karitiana, 94, Callegari-Jacques et al (1994); Krahó, 193, Neel (1978); Macushi, 694, Neel et al (1977),Salzano et al (1984); Mundurucu, 361,Salzano et al (1991),Santos et al (1998); Noanama, 155, Kirk et al (1974); Pacaá s Novos, 222, Salzano et al (1985b); Palikour, 115, Santos et al (1998); Parakanã , 252, Black et al (1980; Quechua, 39,Modiano et al (1972); Sateré- Mawé, 170, Salzano et al (1985a); Surui, 198, Callegari-Jacques et al (1994),Salzano et al (199...…”

Gene flow across tribal barriers and its effect among the Amazonian Içana river Indians

“…Information concerning the Gc isoelectrofocusing subtypes in Amerindians and related groups is increasing (Constans and Salzano, 1980;Matsumoto et al, 1980;Dykes et al, 1983;Szathmary et al, 1983;Salzano et al, 1984Salzano et al, , 1985present communication) and some first generalizations are now possible. In one Siberian population (Tuvintsi) the frequency of GclS (0.28) is lower than that of GcIF (0.52), but in two Eskimo and in 15 of 18 American Indian samples the opposite is true (frequency of GclS > frequency of Gc'~); the exceptions are the Pima of the United States and the Kraho and Pacaas Novos of Brazil.…”