Authors
Jacques Chiaroni, Laboratoire Polymorphisme Ge ́ne ́tique Humain, Etablissement Franc ̧ais du Sang Alpes-Me ́diterrane ́e (EFS-AM), 149 Boulevard Baille, 13005 Marseille, France., Laboratoire d’Anthropologie Biologique et d’Adaptabilite ́ Humaine, UMR 6578 CNRS, Faculte ́ de Me ́de- cine, Universite ́ Aix-Marseille II, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France.
Mhammed Touinssi, Laboratoire Polymorphisme Ge ́ne ́tique Humain, Etablissement Franc ̧ais du Sang Alpes-Me ́diterrane ́e (EFS-AM), 149 Boulevard Baille, 13005 Marseille, France.
Coralie Frassati, Laboratoire Polymorphisme Ge ́ne ́tique Humain, Etablissement Franc ̧ais du Sang Alpes-Me ́diterrane ́e (EFS-AM), 149 Boulevard Baille, 13005 Marseille, France., Laboratoire d’Anthropologie Biologique et d’Adaptabilite ́ Humaine, UMR 6578 CNRS, Faculte ́ de Me ́de- cine, Universite ́ Aix-Marseille II, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France.
Anna Degioanni, Laboratoire d’Anthropologie Biologique et d’Adaptabilite ́ Humaine, UMR 6578 CNRS, Faculte ́ de Me ́de- cine, Universite ́ Aix-Marseille II, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France.
Morgane Gibert, Laboratoire Polymorphisme Ge ́ne ́tique Humain, Etablissement Franc ̧ais du Sang Alpes-Me ́diterrane ́e (EFS-AM), 149 Boulevard Baille, 13005 Marseille, France., Laboratoire d’Anthropologie Biologique et d’Adaptabilite ́ Humaine, UMR 6578 CNRS, Faculte ́ de Me ́de- cine, Universite ́ Aix-Marseille II, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France.
Denis Reviron, Laboratoire Polymorphisme Ge ́ne ́tique Humain, Etablissement Franc ̧ais du Sang Alpes-Me ́diterrane ́e (EFS-AM), 149 Boulevard Baille, 13005 Marseille, France.
Pierre Mercier, Laboratoire Polymorphisme Ge ́ne ́tique Humain, Etablissement Franc ̧ais du Sang Alpes-Me ́diterrane ́e (EFS-AM), 149 Boulevard Baille, 13005 Marseille, France.
Gilles Boëtsch, Laboratoire d’Anthropologie Biologique et d’Adaptabilite ́ Humaine, UMR 6578 CNRS, Faculte ́ de Me ́de- cine, Universite ́ Aix-Marseille II, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France.
Abstract
The Comorian population is historically considered a blend of influences from African Bantus, Arabs, and possibly Austronesians. In this study we present the first genetic data on the current Comorian population. Serologic analysis of the six major blood group systems (ABO, RH, KEL, FY, JK, and MNS) was performed on 164 individuals from Grande Comore Island (Njazidja). In addition, Duffy genotypes were determined by polymer- ase chain reaction using allele-specific primers. Our findings establish a high frequency of the Fy(a�b�) phenotype (86%), presenting the same genetic background as in sub-Saharan Africa. Analysis of genetic frequencies, dis- tances, and admixture with other populations indicates that African Bantus made the main contribution to the gene pool (73.2%�15.5%). The Arab contribution from the Arabian peninsula was smaller (24.2% � 7%) and the Indonesian contribution was minor (2.6% � 9%). The major Bantu contribu- tion was commensurate with the Bantu cultural influence. The contribution from the Arabian peninsula seemed in relation to its permeating religious and linguistic influence. As with the language, the Indonesian contribution to the Comorian gene pool was small. These results are in agreement with historical, sociological, and linguistic data.
Recommended Citation
Chiaroni, Jacques; Touinssi, Mhammed; Frassati, Coralie; Degioanni, Anna; Gibert, Morgane; Reviron, Denis; Mercier, Pierre; and Boëtsch, Gilles
(2004)
"Genetic Characterization of the Population of Grande Comore Island (Njazidja) According to Major Blood Groups,"
Human Biology:
Vol. 76:
Iss.
4, Article 3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol76/iss4/3
