Patterns of mtDNA Diversity in Northwestern North America

Document Type

Article

Authors

Ripan S. Malhi, Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616., Trace Genetics LLC, P.O. Box 2010, Davis, CA 95617.
Katherine E. Breece, Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.
Beth A. Schultz Shook, Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.
Frederika A. Kaestle, Department of Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405.
James C. Chatters, Tetratech Foster Wheeler Inc., Bothell, WA 98011; and Department of Anthropology, Central Washington
Steven Hackenberger, Tetratech Foster Wheeler Inc., Bothell, WA 98011; and Department of Anthropology, Central Washington
David Glenn Smith, Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616., California Regional Primate Research Center (CRPRC), Davis, CA 95616.

Abstract

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups of 54 full- blooded modern and 64 ancient Native Americans from northwestern North America were determined. The control regions of 10 modern and 30 ancient individuals were sequenced and compared. Within the Northwest, the fre- quency distribution for haplogroup A is geographically structured, with haplogroup A decreasing with distance from the Pacific Coast. The haplo- group A distribution suggests that a prehistoric population intrusion from the subarctic and coastal region occurred on the Columbia Plateau in prehistoric times. Overall, the mtDNA pattern in the Northwest suggests significant amounts of gene flow among Northwest Coast, Columbia Plateau, and Great Basin populations.

Recommended Citation

Malhi, Ripan S.; Breece, Katherine E.; Schultz Shook, Beth A.; Kaestle, Frederika A.; Chatters, James C.; Hackenberger, Steven; and Smith, David Glenn (2004) "Patterns of mtDNA Diversity in Northwestern North America," Human Biology: Vol. 76: Iss. 1, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol76/iss1/3