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Dissecting the Genetic History of São Tomé e Príncipe: A New Window from Y‐Chromosome Biallelic Markers
Author(s) -
Trovoada M.J.,
Tavares L.,
Gusmão L.,
Alves C.,
Abade A.,
Amorim A.,
Prata M.J.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
annals of human genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1469-1809
pISSN - 0003-4800
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-1809.2006.00309.x
Subject(s) - haplogroup , archipelago , gene flow , biology , gene pool , y chromosome , population , portuguese , demography , evolutionary biology , genetics , zoology , genetic diversity , allele , haplotype , gene , genetic variation , ecology , sociology , linguistics , philosophy
Summary Twenty biallelic Y chromosome markers were analyzed in Angolares, Forros and Tongas, three population groups from the African archipelago of São Tomé e Príncipe. While most male lineages belonged to sub‐Saharan haplogroups, the component of European origin added up 23.9% in the archipelago. This contrasts with the reported absence of European mtDNA lineages, and the combined findings testify to a strong sex‐biased admixture process during the long‐lasting colonial period in São Tomé e Príncipe. Furthermore, the male mediated European component was clearly found to be out of proportion to the small demographic impact of the Portuguese on the islands, reflecting high variance in the reproductive success of the individuals that contributed to its peopling. The male portion of European ancestry was 33.3% in Forros, 27.3% in Tongas and approximately two‐fold less, 14.5%, in Angolares. The Angolares also showed the lowest haplogroup diversity and the most reduced number of different haplogroups. The current results reinforce our previous evidence pointing to remarkable restrictions in gene flow between Angolares and other São Tomean inhabitants, in agreement with their considerable isolation and confinement to the south‐eastern tip of São Tomé until recently.