Comparison of Two Venezuelan Populations Using the Coefficient of Relationship by Isonymy

Document Type

Article

Authors

J. Pinto-Cisternas, Laboratorio de Genética Humana, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Venezuela
A. Rodriguez-Larralde, Laboratorio de Genética Humana, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Venezuela
D. Castro de Guerra, Laboratorio de Genética Humana, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Venezuela

Abstract

The coefficient of relationship by isonymy R_i is a good indicator of similarities between and within populations by means of identity of surnames. In this study we present the results of an analysis of R_i obtained using two surnames for each person in two small Venezuelan populations of African origin: Birongo and La Sabana. The analyses of six R_i values within each population in two periods and of sixteen R_i values within each population between two periods and within each period between populations show that the higher values of R_i are those that include combinations of maternal surnames compared with any other combination and that in one period the relationship between Birongo and La Sabana was equal to 0, as measured with combinations of paternal surnames. These facts are indicators of a tendency toward matrifocal behavior and show that the use of four surnames for estimating R_i permits detailed comparisons of the relationship between and within groups.

Recommended Citation

Pinto-Cisternas, J.; Rodriguez-Larralde, A.; and Castro de Guerra, D. (1990) "Comparison of Two Venezuelan Populations Using the Coefficient of Relationship by Isonymy," Human Biology: Vol. 62: Iss. 3, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol62/iss3/7