Genetic variability in Chilean Indian populations and its association with geography, language, and culture

Genetic variability among seven Chilean Indian populations (Aymara, Atacameno, Diaguita, Pehuenche, Mapuche, Alacaluf, and Yagan) is measured in terms of net codon differences per locus from gene frequency data on seven serologic markers. Indices of cultural and linguistic differences are computed surveying the various ethnographic accounts of these tribal populations. Of the variables, culture, language, geography, and the degree of Caucasoid admixture, only geography seems to be the important factor in explaining the variabilities in genetic distances among these populations. An empirical relationship between geographic distance and gene identity is also established and shown graphically.