Genetic studies on the Koya Dora and Konda Kammara tribes of Andhra Pradesh, India

A total of 209 persons belonging to the Koya Dora and Konda Kammara tribes in the East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, have been tested for electrophoretic variation in 9 red cell enzyme systems. The gene frequencies for the systems showing variation are, in general, within the range for other Andhra Pradesh tribal populations. There is 1 example of PHI 2-1 in the Konda Kammara, while 1 case each of PHI 3-1 and 2-1 are reported in the Koya Dora. In PGM1, there is one example of the 6-2 phenotype and one of 4-1 in the Koya Dora. The Koya Dora show a relatively lower frequency of the EsD2 allele compared to the Konda Kammara. The gene frequencies for the GLO system are reported here for the first time among Indian tribals and these are within the Indian range. LDH Calcutta 1 was not detected in either population.     

Distribution of A1A2BO and Rho (D) blood groups in tribal populations of Andhra Pradesh, South India.

The paper reports the distribution of A1A2BO and Rho (D) blood groups among five tribal populations, Koya Dora, Raj Gond, Naikpod, Pardhan and Lambadi from three districts of Andhra Pradesh, South India. Blood samples from a total of 1090 unrelated individuals were tested. Koya Doras were, however, sampled from five distant localities to find out intratribal variation, if any. In A1A2BO blood group system the combined frequencies of "P1" and "P2" among the five Koya Groups always exceeded the frequency of "q", a characteristic feature of many tribal populations of Andhra Pradesh. However, among Raj Gond, Naikpod, Pardhan and Lambadi tribes the frequency of "q" is higher than "p" with the maximum in Pardhans. The frequency of "r" is always higher than the combined frequencies of "p1" and "p2" except in Raj Gonds. The higher frequency of "q" over "p" among Naikpod, Pardhan and Lambadi tribes is indicative of a tendency towards the distribution pattern found in North India. A few Rh negative persons were detected only in Koya Dora, Raj Gond and Lambadis indicating that the allele r (cde) is present in these populations, although in a low frequency.     

Gc subtyping in south Indian tribal and caste populations

Seven tribal (Konda Kammara - 2 samples; Koya Dora - 3 samples; Lambadi) and caste (Madiga) populations from Andhra Pradesh (South India) have been analyzed for the distribution of Gc subtypes. The observed heterogeneity in the distribution of Gc1F, Gc1S and Gc2 alleles was found to be statistically significant. Comparisons are made with North Indian populations as well as with those of other racial affiliation. The anthropological impact of the Gc subtype polymorphism is discussed.     

Genetic distances among the five tribal populations of Andhra, Pradesh, South India.

In this paper, data on genetic distances among five tribal populations ae given. Among the five tribes, Koya Dora, Raj Gond and Naikpod are autochthonous populations of the Deccan plateau whereas the other two groups, Pardhan and Lambadi are migrants. Kova Doras were sampled from five distant localities. Genetic markers typed are: A1A2B0, Rho(D) blood group systems glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, transferrin, haptoglobin, groupspecific component, haemoglobin, colour-vision deficiency and tastability to P. T. C. Using frequency data for the above nine genetic loci, genetic distances between the five endogamous tribes, and between the five groups of Koya Dora are calculated by adopting the statistical method of Edwards (1971). While genetic distances between Koya Dora, Raj Gond and Lambadi are minimal, the genetic distance between Pardhans and other tribal groups is maximum. Naikpods occupy an intermediate position. The closeness of Lambadi with Koya Dora and RAJ Gond can be regarded as coincidental. Interestingly, the differences in the genetic distance values between five Koya Dora groups are as great as the differences between the five endogamous tribal populations tested for the same loci. Genetic affinities of these tribal populations are discussed in relation to their ethnic origin migration and geographical isolation.     

A genetic study of the Konda Kapu tribe of coastal Andhra Pradesh, South India

Phenotype and gene frequencies of two blood group and four red cell enzyme systems were examined in a Konda Kapu tribal sample of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, South India. The gene frequencies for these systems in Konda Kapus indicate the middle range values for Andhra Pradesh tribal populations, excepting the ADA and Rh(D) systems, where extreme range values are found. Further, gene flow is indicated between the Konda Kapus under study and Plain Kapus, a neighbouring caste population by calculation of Fi estimates.     

Individual fertility rate among minor tribal populations from Andhra Pradesh,India

Abstract

The Individual Fertility Rate (IFR), a measure of current fertility status in small and illiterate preindustrial societies, is estimated for five tribal populations from Andhra Pradesh, India. The Andhra tribes exhibit high individual fertility rates ranging between 49.62 ± 1.76 (Konda Dora) and 66.63 ± 3.16 (Manzai Mali) and fall in the high‐fertility category. The differences in IFR values between affinal and consanguineous couples are not significant. A direct positive relation between IFR and tribal hierarchy is observed with relatively higher IFR values recorded for socially higher‐ranked tribes in an ascending order from lower‐ to higher‐ranked groups.     

Serum albumin variants from populations of Andhra Pradesh,S. India

Summary 1108 tribal and 1062 non-tribal individuals from three districts of Andhra Pradesh were examined, for serum albumin variants. A slow-moving variant, identical to Albumin Kashmir was found in a single Muslim individual. Another new slow-moving variant, faster than Albumin Kashmir found in a single individual of a Koya Dora tribe is designated as Albumin Koya Dora.     

Genetic variability of blood and saliva antigens and serum proteins among subtribes of Mali from Andhra Pradesh, India.

The subtribes of Mali viz. Manzai Mali and Bod Mali of Andhra Pradesh, India, were screened for A1A2B0, Rhesus (CcDEe) and MN blood groups, ABH saliva secretion and plasma proteins, namely haptoglobin, transferrin, caeruloplasmin and albumin. The genetic differences between the two subtribes are marginal and not significant except for ABH saliva secretion and plasma haptoglobin. Our observations suggest that the isolation of these two subtribes cannot date long back.     

Genetic structure of the Mongols as derived from the ABO, MN, Rh, EsD, GLO1, PGM1, AcP, 6-PGD, Hp, Gc, Tf, C'3 and ChE2 loci

According to integral characterization of gene frequencies of the investigated loci AB0, MN, Rh, GLO1, PGM1, EsD, AcP, 6-PGD, Hp, Tf, Gc, C'3 and ChE2, Mongolian population has high level of polymorphism, with the exception of haplotypes R" (cdE) and Ry(CdE) at the Rh locus and TfB0-1 at the Tf locus. The data on biochemical and immunological polymorphic gene markers analysed in the population of Mongolia show that the Mongolians have some distinctive features, in comparison with the mean-in-the-world characteristics: high frequencies of the B genes at the AB0 locus; D, E, R1 and R2 at the Rh locus; GLO11, PGDc, TfDChi, E2(C5+), PGM1(1+); low frequencies of the genes A(AB0), R0(Rh), AcPc, Hp1, Gc2, C'3F, PGM 1(2-); the rest of the genes at the above-mentioned loci and the genes of the locus MN have the mean-in-the-world frequencies.     

Gene differentiation in four subcastes of Brahmins from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Blood group (ABO, MN, Rh, CcDEe) polymorphisms are reported here for 4 strictly endogamous subcastes of Andhra Brahmins. The coefficient of gene differentiation calculated from the gene frequencies is 0.87% demonstrating that only a small fraction of the total gene diversity is attributable to the differences between subcastes. In spite of the strict endogamy for the past 10-14 centuries, 99.13% of gene differentiation exists within the subcastes.     

Genetic affinities of AB0 and Rh blood groups among populations of Andhra Pradesh, India: 2. Tribes

Genetic affinities of 21 tribal populations of Andhra Pradesh are reported in terms of genetic distance analysis with regard to AB0 and Rh loci. These tribal populations show a high degree of differentiation in the distribution of AB0 blood groups. Some tribes exhibit the monomorphism for Rh (D) locus. The genetic distance analysis reveals that the 21 tribes included in this study are genetically distant from one another and the genetic clustering pattern correlates with linguistic/ethnic affiliation and geographical propinquity of these tribal populations to a certain extent. The possible reasons for different cluster formations are discussed.     

Finger ridge count correlations among four tribes of Andhra Pradesh,India

The present paper reports the distribution of finger ridge count correlations among four tribal populations from Andhra Pradesh, India viz., Dulia, Kotia, Manne Dora and Manzai Mali, and examines the intra and inter population variation. Higher correlations are recorded in left hands compared to right hands, but they are not significant. The homologous fingers exhibit a stronger correlation. In all the tribes, the correlations between right hand fingers are relatively higher among women when compared to men. Regarding inter population variation Dulia men differ significantly from the men of Manne Dora and the Manzai Mali tribes, and Kotia women also differ from the women of the Manne Dora significantly. The average correlation coefficient of the present populations is similar to other Indian populations reported earlier but lower than African and European populations.     

HLA antigen frequency in the Koya tribe of Andhra Pradesh, India

The frequencies of HLA-A, -B, and -C antigens were studied in a tribal population of Koya from Andhra Pradesh in southern India. No other well-defined tribal population has been studied with which the present results may be compared. However, the HLA profile of Koya showed distinct differences from the general HLA distribution in India in the frequency of a large number of antigens both at the A and B loci. This study indicates the distinctiveness of this tribal population and suggests the potential importance of the study of HLA frequencies in tribal groups of India.     

Hemoglobin Koya Dora: high frequency of a chain termination mutant.

Approximately 10% of the members of the Koya Dora tribe from Andhra Pradesh (India) carry an alpha chain hemoglobin variant, Hb Koya Dora (Hb KD), usually in amounts of 0.5%-2% of total hemoglobin. In four presumed homozygotes for Hb KD, up to 10% of the abnormal hemoglobin was present. The alpha chain of Hb KD was found to be elongated by at least 16 residues, possibly as a result of a mutation of the normal alpha chain termination codon UAA TO UCA, coding for serine. A pedigree in which two individuals possess Hb KD as well as the alpha chain variant Hb Rampa and normal Hb A proves the existence of two alpha chain loci in this population. Hb DK resembles the previously described Hb Constant Spring [6, 7] in many aspects, probably also in its alpha thalassemia-like expression.     

ABO blood groups and ABH saliva secretion in Reddis and Kammas of Southern Andhra Pradesh

ABO blood groups and ABH saliva secretion were investigated in two caste populations, Reddis and Kammas of Southern Andhra Pradesh, and compared with the data of other populations. In ABO gene frequencies, the present series of Reddis and Kammas approach the values from other Andhra caste data. Moderate gene frequency of non-secretor gene in both Reddis and Kammas are noted.     

中国彝族、藏族和满族中Kidd、Duffy、Kell、Xg、Rh、Diego和P血型系统的分布

本文报道了中国彝族、藏族和满族的Kidd、Duffy、Kell、Xg、Rh、Diego和P红细胞血型系统的分布和血型基因频率。彝族210人全部是Rh(+)个体,藏族人数中有0.5％为Rh(-)个体。满族人数中Rh(-)者占0.95％;Xg(a+)频率明显低于白种人。Jk~a基因频率分别是:彝族0.4144,藏族0.4447,满族0.4262;Xg~a基因频率,藏族0.4030,满族0.3887;Fy~a基因频率在三个民族中都比较高,彝族0.9628,藏族0.9498,满族0.9405;Di~a基因频率则非常低,藏族0.0255,满族0.0168;在藏族中,P_1和K基因频率分别是0.2138和0.0051;满族中P_1基因频率为0.1577。     

Prevalence and molecular heterogeneity of alfa+thalassemia in two tribal populations from Andhra Pradesh,India

Summary We describe here the screening of a small group of apparently healthy individuals belonging to the tribal communities of Koya Dora and Konda Reddi. A remarkably high incidence of deletion and nondeletion ⁺ thalassemia mutants has been found with allele frequencies and distributions characteristic to each tribe. We have confirmed the strict relationship between Hb S levels and the number of globin genes in double heterozygotes for the S gene and thalassemia. In this population sample we did not find either heterozygous carriers of ⁰ thalassemia (deletion of both alpha genes in cis) or individuals showing hemolytic anemia due to inactivation of three -globin genes (Hb H disease). Selection by malaria is most probably responsible for the prevalence of the various ⁺ thalassemia haplotypes among the two tribal populations of Andhra Pradesh.     

A genetic survey in four Mongoloid populations of the Garo Hills, India

Four Mongoloid populations, viz., Garo , Hajong , Rabha and Koch, belonging to the Tibetoburman language family of Garo Hills, India, were examined for blood types ( A1A2BO , Rh, MN), secretor factor, ability to taste PTC and cerumen types. Gene A1 is more frequent than B in Hajong and Rabha . Garo shows a higher frequency of gene B, Koch also shows a little higher frequency of gene B than A. R1 is the commonest chromosome in all the groups followed by R2. Frequency of gene M is very high in all these populations. In respect of ABH secretion in saliva, there is preponderance of the secretor gene. Incidence of non- taster gene is somewhat lower in them. Dry cerumen gene is frequent in these Mongoloid groups. In general, the Garo Hills populations show closer affinity to the Mongoloids of Northeast India in respect of gene frequencies.     

The major opsin in bees (Insecta: Hymenoptera): A promising nuclear gene for higher level phylogenetics.

We report the phylogenetic utility of the nuclear gene encoding the long-wavelength opsin (LW Rh) for tribes of bees. Aligned nucleotide sequences were examined in multiple taxa from the four tribes comprising the corbiculate bees within the subfamily Apinae. Phylogenetic analyses of sequence variation in a 502-bp fragment (approx 40% of the coding region) strongly supported the monophyly of each of the four tribes, which are well established from previous studies of morphology and DNA. Trees estimated from parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses of LW Rh sequences show a strongly supported relationship between the tribes Meliponini and Bombini, a relationship that has been found uniformly in studies of other genes (28S, 16S, and cytochrome b). All of the tribal clades as well as relationships among the tribes are supported by high bootstrap values, suggesting the utility of LW Rh in estimating tribal and subfamily rank for these bees. The sequences exhibit minimal base composition bias. Both 1st + 2nd and 3rd position sites provide information for estimating a reliable tree topology. These results suggest that LW Rh, which has not been reported previously in studies of organismal phylogenetics, could provide important new data from the nuclear genome for phylogeny reconstruction.