A comprehensive analysis of microsatellite diversity in Aboriginal Australians

Abstract

Indigenous Australians have a unique evolutionary history that has resulted in a complex system of inter and intra-tribal relationships. While a number of studies have examined the population genetics of indigenous Australians, most have used a single sample to illuminate details of the global dispersal of modern humans and few studies have focussed on the population genetic features of the widely dispersed communities of the indigenous population. In this study we examine the largest Aboriginal Australian sample yet analysed (N = 8,868) at fifteen hypervariable autosomal microsatellite loci. A comprehensive analysis of differentiation indicates different levels of heterogeneity among indigenous peoples from traditional regions of Aboriginal Australia. The most genetically differentiated populations inhabit the North of the country, in particular the Tiwi of Melville and Bathurst islands, Arnhem Land (itself divided into West and East Arnhem), and Fitzmaurice regions. These tribal groups are most differentiated from other Aboriginal Australian tribes, especially those of the Central Desert regions, and also show marked heterogeneity from one another. These genetic findings are supportive of observations of body measurements, skin colour, and dermatoglyphic features which also vary substantially between tribes of the North (e.g. Arnhem Land) and Central Australian regions and, more specifically, between the Tiwi and West and East Arnhem tribes. This study provides the most comprehensive survey of the population genetics of Aboriginal Australia.

Autosomal microsatellite allele frequencies for 15 regionally defined Aboriginal Australian population datasets

“…In Northern Australia the North and Arnhem groups were altered from those described by Horton [1] into East Arnhem, West Arnhem and Tiwi groups. This follows the research of Walsh et al [3].…”

The Soliga, an isolated tribe from Southern India: genetic diversity and phylogenetic affinities

“…Considering the high genetic diversity among Indian populations and the limited genetic data on Australian aboriginal populations, the above mentioned possibilities could be a likely scenarios. In relation to these conjectures, previous studies have shown a high degree of heterogeneity among the different Australian aboriginal tribes 79,86 with the most genetically distinct populations inhabiting the North Australian region. 86 …”

“…In relation to these conjectures, previous studies have shown a high degree of heterogeneity among the different Australian aboriginal tribes 79,86 with the most genetically distinct populations inhabiting the North Australian region. 86 …”

Possible causes and significance of cranial robusticity among Pleistocene–Early Holocene Australians

“…Using microsatellite diversity, Walsh et al (2007) have shown that Aboriginal Australians exhibit high levels of diversity which largely mirrors their phenotypic variation. Moreover, they found a high level of genetic structuring among Australians which reflects population (tribal) structure along linguistic and ecological lines.…”