Four groups of Lohanas, belonging to the Gujarati, Sindhi and Punjabi were studied for various genetic markers. Lohanas have higher B than A and low Rh(D) negative (1.65–4.64%). The Hp¹ gene ranges from 0.1557 to 0.2639; Gm¹ is lower (0.34–0.55) than in other populations in Southern India. G-6-PD deficiency was prevalent in 3–8%. All the four groups have a high incidence of the thalassaemia trait and possess Hb-D. Hb, J, and L were also observed in two groups. Data was analysed for intergroup differences.

The distribution of electrophoretic variants in 8 red cell enzyme systems, representing 10 independent gene loci, has been examined in a large series of Marathi and Gujarati blood samples from Bombay. In the acid phosphatase system no PHsc genes were detected in Marathis and the frequency of PHsc in Gujaratis was only 0.004. The PHsB frequencies were 0.72 and 0.71 respectively. For 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase the PGDA frequencies were 0.97 and 0.98: a single case of the ‘Richmond’ variant was found in Gujaratis. The AK2 gene in the adenylate kinase system has a relatively high frequency, as in other Indian populations: the respective frequencies were 0.09 and 0.11. No variants were found at the PGM2 locus in the phosphoglucomutase system. For the PGMX locus PGM]1 frequencies were 0.65 and 0.69 for Marathis and Gujaratis. A single PGM 6–1 individual was found in the Marathis and a PGM 3–1 individual in the Gujaratis. No electrophoretic variant was found for the peptidase A, malate dehydrogenase or ‘oxidase’ systems. A single Pep B 2–1 person was found among the Marathis in the peptidase B system. Fourteen cases of the ‘Calcutta-1’ variant were found among 1,005 persons tested for lactate dehydrogenase. The LDH ‘Cal-1’ gene frequency was 0.0089 for Marathis and 0.005 for Gujaratis. The ‘Cal-1’ variant is widespread in India and has the highest world frequency for any LDH variant.

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Three groups of Saraswat Brahmans in Western India and a group of Goan Catholics ethnologically related to Saraswats were studied for various genetic markers. Saraswats have higher A than B with an Rh(D)-negative incidence ranging from 10 to 17%. All the groups have low incidence of G-6-PD deficiency (up to 1 %). Incidence of thalassaemia trait ranges from 1 to 6%. Gm(l) was present in 85–87%. Intergroup differences suggest genetic closeness between the various groups with genetic distance ranging from 0.8 to 1.5. Genetic relationship between Goan Catholics and Chitrapur Saraswats confirms the ethnological and historical evidence of relationship between the two groups.

Blood groups (A₁A₂ BO, Rh-including sub-types, MN, Duffy, Kidd and Diego), secretor status and ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) were investigated in four endogamous and one mixed Muslim groups. The results show phenotypic similarities between the groups studied. Resemblance in various gene frequencies with local Hindu groups was apparent.