Mitochondrial DNA and Prehistoric Settlements: Native Migrations on the Western Edge of North America

Document Type

Article

Authors

Jason A. Eshleman, Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616., Trace Genetics, PO Box 2010, Davis, CA 95617.
Ripan S. Malhi, Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616., Trace Genetics, PO Box 2010, Davis, CA 95617.
John R. Johnson, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Frederika A. Kaestle, Department of Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405.
Joseph Lorenz, Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ 08103.
David Glenn Smith, Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616., California Regional Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.

Abstract

We analyzed previously reported mtDNA haplogroup frequen- cies of 577 individuals and hypervariable segment 1 (HVS1) sequences of 265 individuals from Native American tribes in western North America to test hypotheses regarding the settlement of this region. These data were ana- lyzed to determine whether Hokan and Penutian, two hypothesized ancient linguistic stocks, represent biological units as a result of shared ancestry within these respective groups. Although the pattern of mtDNA variation suggests regional continuity and although gene flow between populations has contributed much to the genetic landscape of western North America, some evidence supports the existence of both the Hokan and Penutian phyla. In addition, a comparison between coastal and inland populations along the west coast of North America suggests an ancient coastal migration to the New World. Similarly high levels of haplogroup A among coastal popula- tions in the Northwest and along the California coast as well as shared HVS1 sequences indicate that early migrants to the New World settled along the coast with little gene flow into the interior valleys.

Recommended Citation

Eshleman, Jason A.; Malhi, Ripan S.; Johnson, John R.; Kaestle, Frederika A.; Lorenz, Joseph; and Smith, David Glenn (2004) "Mitochondrial DNA and Prehistoric Settlements: Native Migrations on the Western Edge of North America," Human Biology: Vol. 76: Iss. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol76/iss1/4