Migration and genetic infrastructure of the Central American Guaymi and their affinities with other tribal groups

New genetic data on 40 red cell enzymes, antigenic blood groups, and serum proteins representing 42 separate loci, are reported for two Guaymi communities in Southeastern Costa Rica. These two settlements, Limoncito and Abrojo, are of recent origin, having been established by Panamanian migrants in the last 50 years. Detailed data on the provenance of these migrants permits an analysis of how these settlement patterns differ from those typical of less acculturated Amerindians from the lowlands of South America. The genetic compositions of these two communities are compared with those of previous Panamanian Guaymi samples, and several points are established: (1) One of the localities, Limoncito, contains families from both Guaymi dialect groups (eastern and western), and the allelic frequencies are intermediate between those of the dialect groups. (2) The other settlement, Abrojo, is quite similar to the western Guaymi, as expected from historical reconstruction of its antecedents. (3) In general, the degree of infratribal genetic diversity is less than that found in lowland South American tribes, and the difference may be due to a diffuse settlement pattern among the Guaymi. (4) The Guaymi are also compared genetically with other tribes in low Central America and northern South America, and appear to be similar to their immediate Chibcha neighbors to the east and west. The implications of a pair of "private polymorphisms" are discussed in the context of the time of dialectic and tribal divergence in this zone.     

Genetic differences between Chibcha and Non-Chibcha speaking tribes based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups from 21 Amerindian tribes from Colombia

We analyzed the frequency of four mitochondrial DNA haplogroups in 424 individuals from 21 Colombian Amerindian tribes. Our results showed a high degree of mtDNA diversity and genetic heterogeneity. Frequencies of mtDNA haplogroups A and C were high in the majority of populations studied. The distribution of these four mtDNA haplogroups from Amerindian populations was different in the northern region of the country compared to those in the south. Haplogroup A was more frequently found among Amerindian tribes in northern Colombia, while haplogroup D was more frequent among tribes in the south. Haplogroups A, C and D have clinal tendencies in Colombia and South America in general. Populations belonging to the Chibcha linguistic family of Colombia and other countries nearby showed a strong genetic differentiation from the other populations tested, thus corroborating previous findings. Genetically, the Ingano, Paez and Guambiano populations are more closely related to other groups of south eastern Colombia, as also inferred from other genetic markers and from archeological data. Strong evidence for a correspondence between geographical and linguistic classification was found, and this is consistent with evidence that gene flow and the exchange of customs and knowledge and language elements between groups is facilitated by close proximity.     

Biological relationship between Central and South American Chibchan speaking populations: evidence from mtDNA

We examined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup and haplotype diversity in 188 individuals from three Chibchan (Kogi, Arsario, and Ijka) populations and one Arawak (Wayuú) group from northeast Colombia to determine the biological relationship between lower Central American and northern South American Chibchan speakers. mtDNA haplogroups were obtained for all individuals and mtDNA HVS-I sequence data were obtained for 110 samples. Resulting sequence data were compared to 16 other Caribbean, South, and Central American populations using diversity measures, neutrality test statistics, sudden and spatial mismatch models, intermatch distributions, phylogenetic networks, and a multidimensional scaling plot. Our results demonstrate the existence of a shared maternal genetic structure between Central American Chibchan, Mayan populations and northern South American Chibchan-speakers. Additionally, these results suggest an expansion of Chibchan-speakers into South America associated with a shift in subsistence strategies because of changing ecological conditions that occurred in the region between 10,000-14,000 years before present.     

Reproductive pattern of three amerindian communities from Costa Rica

The bases of the reproductory models of three indigenous communities from Costa Rica belonging to the same cultural area (Chibcha) but with different social, economical and environmental conditions were studied. In this situation it was observed how the study of the data on fertility and fecundity, analyzed together with other reproductory and social characteristics of women, can precisely determine the reproductory model of the communities to which they belong. A homogeneous fecundity was presented in the studied communities, but one which responded to different reproductory patterns. Starting from the multivariate analysis of the fertility variables, the studied women were divided into two groups. One of the groups presents the highest levels of length of breast feeding period and amenorrhea, together with the near total lack of artificial breast feeding and the early introduction of normal feeding. This model is predominant among the Guaymies. The other one, together with the short period of breast feeding and amenorrhea, shows an early introduction of the bottle and a late one of solid food in the feeding process. It is characteristic of the Huetars. This links a certain reproductory model to an indigenous community and a way of life. The reproductory pattern, a clearly biological model, to an ecological and cultural environment.