Distribution of hereditary factors in the blood of Indians of the Gila river, Arizona

Abstract

This paper reports the distribution of blood groups, A-B-H secretors, haptoglobins, transfenins and hemoglobin types among Indians of the Gila E v e r Valley in Arizona. Specimens were procured from the following putative full-bl~ods: 909 Pima, 37 Papago, and 124 Maricopa; and from the following known mixed-bloods: Pima-Papago 134, Pima-Maricopa 26, Pima-Other Indian 41, Pima-Caucasian 33. These 1304 samples were tested for factors in the A-B-0, M-N-S-s, P, Rh-Hr, Lutheran, Kell-Cellano, Lewis, Duffy, Kidd and Diego blood group systems, and for additional blood factors (Wra), Doa, Vel, Yta, Coa, Gya, Sav, and L.W. Serum samples were tested for haptoglobins and transferrins. Hemolysates, prepared from whole blood, were tested for hemoglobin types. The results are presented on appropriate tables as number and per cent of phenotypes for the various blood group antigens and their calculated allele frequencies. Locations of the populations from which blood samples were procured are shown on a map ( fig. 1). Tests made by earlier workers on the blood of Arizona Indians and related tribes are presented for comparison and discussed.The usual high frequencies for allele 0 reported in Amerinds was found among the putatively full-blood Gila Indians; the 124 Maricopa presented the maximum frequency of 1.000. High frequencies were reported generally for M, s, PI, R1 (CDe), R2 (CDE), fi:(100%) Fy, and Don alleles. Low frequencies were reported for N , S, r (cde), R" ( c D e ) , fy, Lef and Din (Pima only).There was a wide variation in frequencies for Jk, and Hp', and there were 17Transferrin Tf EIC observed in 270 Pima samples tested. All the remaining were classified as Tf C except two Tf B:C from mixed-bloods.All samples tested for Vel, Yta, Cop, Sav, and Hemoglobin (A) showed the maximum frequency (1.000) for their genes.The following antigens were completely absent: Lu", Mia, Vw, Mta, p, Pk, r y (CdE), K, and Wr".The results of this study suggests that the Papago tribe presents fewer genes of non-Indian origin than the Pima, and the Maricopa least of the three populations.

Genetic variation in North Amerindian populations: The geography of gene frequencies

“…To illustrate, there was little difficulty applying the criteria to the Pima. Of the two available reports, the data of Brown et al (1958) fail criterion 3 above when compared to the data of Matson et al (1968). Moreover, the Pima are a relatively well defined population.…”

“…Reference Matson and Swanson, 1963cMatson et al, 1968Matson and Swanson, 1964Cordova et al, 1967Matson and Swanson, 1963dCordova et al, 1967Cordova et al, 1967Blumberg et al, 1964Cordova et al, 1967Blumberg et al, 1964Corcoran et al, 1962Alfred et al, 1972aSzathmary et al, 1975Szathmary et al, 1975Niswander et al, 1970Gray and Laughlin, 1960Matson and Swanson, 1963cAllen and Corcoran, 1960Matson et al, 1968Matson and Swanson, 1965bChown and Lewis, 1955Pollitzer et al, 1970Doeblin and Mohn, 1967...…”

The dental morphology of Pima Indians

“…On the basis of anthropometric and anthroposcopic data, HrdliCka could not thus discern any underlying biological tie between the Uto-Aztecan speaking Hopi and the Pima-Papago. Regarding gene frequency data, the Hopi-Tewa sample reported by Brown et al (1958) alleles (Matson et al, 1968;Niswander et al, 1970). It would be preferable to compare a greater number of loci between these UtoAztecan groups, but the differences in the MN and Rh systems are noteworthy.…”

“…Hanna et al (1953) suggested the genetic make-up of the Pima differed significantly from the Papago, but this conclusion was based on variation at the ABO locus. Later studies on the Pima (Matson et al, 1968) and Papago (Niswander et al, 1970) which considered a greater number of loci showed a close genetic parallel between these groups. An analysis of anthropometric data also indicated the Pima and Papago were more similar to one another than to other Southwest native groups (Hanna, 1962).…”

“…This conclusion is tempered somewhat by the possibility of technical problems in blood typing, especially in the Rh system (Merbs, 1965;Spuhler, 1979). Matson et al (1968) conducted the most intensive serological survey among the Pima in which they blood typed 909 putatively fullblooded Pima. In addition, they obtained separate samples which involved admixture between Pima-Papago, Pima-other Indian, and Pima-Caucasian.…”