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Dopamine receptor D4 allele distribution in Amerindians: A reflection of past behavior differences?
Author(s) -
TovoRodrigues Luciana,
CallegariJacques Sidia M.,
PetzlErler M. Luiza,
Tsuneto Luiza,
Salzano Francisco M.,
Hutz Mara H.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.21358
Subject(s) - allele , novelty seeking , evolutionary biology , allele frequency , amazon rainforest , demography , geography , colonization , biology , genetics , ecology , temperament , psychology , sociology , gene , social psychology , personality
Abstract The DRD4 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) allele distribution of 172 Guarani (Kaiowá and Ñandeva subgroups) and Kaingang Brazilian Amerindians is reported. These results are integrated with those previously obtained for this ethnic group. Allele frequencies for the three populations are within the interval observed for 15 other Native American populations and show intermediate values between those observed in Amazonia and Patagonia. Significant differences in allele distribution between recent past hunter–gatherer and agriculturalist populations are observed, with an increase of the 7R allele among hunter–gatherers ( P < 0.001). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and pairwise F ST data suggest three distinct sectors for the genetic landscape of Native South America: Andes, Center/Southeast region, and Amazonia. Common traits among hunter–gatherers such as novelty‐seeking temperament, hyperactivity, and impulsivity could have been important and advantageous in new environments during America's prehistoric colonization. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.