Analyses of DNA from ancient bones of a pre-Columbian Cuban woman and a child

Molecular anthropology has brought new possibilities into the study of ancient human populations. Amplification of chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been successfully employed in analyses of ancient bone material. Although several studies have reported on continental Amerindian populations, none have addressed the ancient populations inhabiting the Caribbean islands. We used STR and mtDNA analyses to study the skeletal remains of a Cuban Ciboney female adult holding an infant. Results showed that for the STR analyzed the skeletal remains shared common alleles, suggesting a relationship. Mitochondrial DNA analysis showed sequence identity, thus corroborating a possible mother-child relationship. The mtDNA sequence grouped these remains into haplogroup A, commonly found in Amerindian populations. Based on these results, we speculated on a South American origin of pre-Columbian Antilles populations and possible infanticide practices in these populations. This constitutes the first report on DNA analysis of ancient pre-Columbian Cuban populations.

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Mitochondrial DNA analysis suggests a Chibchan migration into Colombia

Universitas Scientiarum ◽

10.11144/javeriana.sc20-2.mdas ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 261 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Maria Claudia Noguera-Santamaría ◽

Carl Edlund Anderson ◽

Daniel Uricoechea ◽

Clemencia Durán ◽

Ignacio Briceño-Balcázar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Native American ◽

Dna Analysis ◽

Human Genetics ◽

Human Populations ◽

South American ◽

Indigenous Groups ◽

Genetic Structures

The characterization of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) allows the establishment of genetic structures and phylogenetic relationships in human populations, tracing lineages far back in time. We analysed samples of mtDNA from twenty (20) Native American populations (700 individuals) dispersed throughout Colombian territory. Samples were collected during 1989-1993 in the context of the program Expedición Humana (“Human Expedition”) and stored in the Biological Repository of the Institute of Human Genetics (IGH) at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá, Colombia). Haplogroups were determined by analysis of RFLPs. Most frequent was haplogroup A, with 338 individuals (48.3%). Haplogroup A is also one of the most frequent haplogroups in Mesoamerica, and we interpret our finding as supporting models that propose Chibchan-speaking groups migrated to northern Colombia from Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. Haplogroup C was found in 199 individuals (28.4%), while less frequent were B and D, with 113 and 41 (16% and 6%) individuals, respectively. The haplogroups of nine (9) individuals (1.3%) could not be determined due to the low quality of the samples of DNA. Although all the sampled populations had genetic structures that fit broadly into the patterns that might be expected for contemporary Central and South American indigenous groups, it was found that haplogroups A and B were more frequent in northern Colombia, while haplogroups C and D were more frequent in southern and south-western Colombia.

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Mitochondrial DNA analysis of human skeletal remains excavated from the Iwashita Cave and Shimo-motoyama rock shelter sites

Anthropological Science (Japanese Series) ◽

10.1537/asj.170509 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 125 (1) ◽

pp. 49-63 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ken-ichi Shinoda ◽

Hideaki Kanzawa-Kiriyama ◽

Tsuneo Kakuda ◽

Noboru Adachi

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Dna Analysis ◽

Skeletal Remains ◽

Human Skeletal Remains ◽

Rock Shelter ◽

Mitochondrial Dna Analysis

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The contributions of anthropology and mitochondrial DNA analysis to the identification of the human skeletal remains of the Australian outlaw Edward ‘Ned’ Kelly

Forensic Science International ◽

10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.04.009 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 240 ◽

pp. e11-e21 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

S. Blau ◽

L. Catelli ◽

F. Garrone ◽

D. Hartman ◽

C. Romanini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Dna Analysis ◽

Skeletal Remains ◽

Human Skeletal Remains ◽

Mitochondrial Dna Analysis

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Mitochondrial DNA, a Powerful Tool to Decipher Ancient Human Civilization from Domestication to Music, and to Uncover Historical Murder Cases

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells8050433 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 433 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Maxime Merheb ◽

Rachel Matar ◽

Rawad Hodeify ◽

Shoib Sarwar Siddiqui ◽

Cijo George Vazhappilly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Dna Analysis ◽

Nuclear Dna ◽

Genetic Material ◽

Modern Science ◽

Criminal Cases ◽

Trade Routes ◽

Ancient Trade ◽

Degraded Samples ◽

Mtdna Sequence

Mitochondria are unique organelles carrying their own genetic material, independent from that in the nucleus. This review will discuss the nature of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and its levels in the cell, which are the key elements to consider when trying to achieve molecular identification in ancient and degraded samples. mtDNA sequence analysis has been appropriately validated and is a consistent molecular target for the examination of biological evidence encountered in forensic cases—and profiling, in certain conditions—especially for burnt bodies and degraded samples of all types. Exceptional cases and samples will be discussed in this review, such as mtDNA from leather in Beethoven’s grand piano, mtDNA in mummies, and solving famous historical criminal cases. In addition, this review will be discussing the use of ancient mtDNA to understand past human diet, to trace historical civilizations and ancient trade routes, and to uncover geographical domestication origins and lineage relationships. In each topic, we will present the power of mtDNA and how, in many cases, no nuclear DNA was left, leaving mitochondrial DNA analysis as a powerful alternative. Exploring this powerful tool further will be extremely useful to modern science and researchers, due to its capabilities in providing us with previously unattainable knowledge.

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Aspects of Ancient Mitochondrial DNA Analysis in Different Populations for Understanding Human Evolution

Balkan Journal of Medical Genetics ◽

10.2478/bjmg-2014-0019 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 5-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nesheva D.V.

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Dna Analysis ◽

Direct Evidence ◽

Human Populations ◽

Genetic Origin ◽

Mitochondrial Dna Analysis ◽

Different Populations ◽

And Migration ◽

Shed Light

Abstract The evolution of modern humans is a long and difficult process which started from their first appearance and continues to the present day. The study of the genetic origin of populations can help to determine population kinship and to better understand the gradual changes of the gene pool in space and time. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a proper tool for the determination of the origin of populations due to its high evolutionary importance. Ancient mitochondrial DNA retrieved from museum specimens, archaeological finds and fossil remains can provide direct evidence for population origins and migration processes. Despite the problems with contaminations and authenticity of ancient mitochondrial DNA, there is a developed set of criteria and platforms for obtaining authentic ancient DNA. During the last two decades, the application of different methods and techniques for analysis of ancient mitochondrial DNA gave promising results. Still, the literature is relatively poor with information for the origin of human populations. Using comprehensive phylogeographic and population analyses we can observe the development and formation of the contemporary populations. The aim of this study was to shed light on human migratory processes and the formation of populations based on available ancient mtDNA data.

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High Resolution Mitochondrial DNA Analysis Sheds Light on Human Diversity, Cultural Interactions and Population Mobility in Northwestern Amazonia

10.1101/160218 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Leonardo Arias ◽

Chiara Barbieri ◽

Guillermo Barreto ◽

Mark Stoneking ◽

Brigitte Pakendorf

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

High Resolution ◽

Cultural Diversity ◽

Dna Analysis ◽

Genetic Relationships ◽

Human Populations ◽

Population Mobility ◽

Language Groups ◽

Pristine Area ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACTObjectivesNorthwestern Amazonia (NWA) is a center of high linguistic and cultural diversity. Several language families and linguistic isolates occur in this region, as well as different subsistence patterns: some groups are foragers while others are agriculturalists. In addition, speakers of Eastern Tukanoan languages are known for practicing linguistic exogamy, a marriage system in which partners must come from different language groups. In this study, we use high resolution mitochondrial DNA sequencing to investigate the impact of this linguistic and cultural diversity on the genetic relationships and structure of NWA groups.MethodsWe collected saliva samples from individuals representing 40 different NWA ethnolinguistic groups and sequenced 439 complete mitochondrial genomes to an average coverage of 1030x.ResultsThe mtDNA data revealed that NWA populations have high genetic diversity with extensive sharing of haplotypes among groups. Moreover, groups who practice linguistic exogamy have higher mtDNA diversity, while the foraging Nukak have lower diversity. We also find that rivers play a more important role than either geography or language affiliation in structuring the genetic relationships of populations.DiscussionContrary to the view of NWA as a pristine area inhabited by small human populations living in isolation, our data support a view of high diversity and contact among different ethnolinguistic groups; movement along rivers has probably facilitated this contact. Additionally, we provide evidence for the impact of cultural practices, such as linguistic exogamy, on patterns of genetic variation. Overall, this study provides new data and insights into a remote and little-studied region of the world.

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