Endogamy Research Articles

Asymmetry and Diversity of Dermatoglyphic Traits: Population Comparison in Five Endogamous Groups of West Bengal, India

Five different endogamous populations encompassing the main social ranks in the caste hierarchy of West Bengal, India were analyzed. To compare variability in populations with contrasting ethnohistorical backgrounds, analysis of variance, Scheffe's test and cluster analysis were performed, as based on dermatoglyphic variables, namely, 22 quantitative traits and 36 indices of diversity and asymmetry. The present study reveals that: 1. Overall disparities among the 5 populations are expressed only in finger ridge counts on the Ist and Vth digits and PII, in a-b ridge counts, in endings of main lines A and D, and in MLI on the palms; 2. Heterogeneity is greater in fluctuating asymmetry than in directional asymmetry; 3. There is a greater heterogeneity in the 22 quantitative traits than in the 36 indices of diversity and asymmetry, with females contributing more than the males; 4. The highest contribution to population variation is by Lodha among five populations; 5. Inter-group variations are homogeneous in most of the variables, which does not correspond with the relationships to caste hierarchy of these populations; 6. The dendrograms based on dermatoglyphic variables demonstrate that the traditional grouping of Indian populations, based on caste hierarchy, may not be a reflection of their genetic origin, in that the pattern of clustering corresponded best with the known ethnohistorical records of the studied populations; 7. Hence, dermatoglyphic affinities may prove quite useful in tracing the ethnohistorical background of populations.

The Indian Genome Variation database (IGVdb): a project overview

Indian population, comprising of more than a billion people, consists of 4693 communities with several thousands of endogamous groups, 325 functioning languages and 25 scripts. To address the questions related to ethnic diversity, migrations, founder populations, predisposition to complex disorders or pharmacogenomics, one needs to understand the diversity and relatedness at the genetic level in such a diverse population. In this backdrop, six constituent laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), with funding from the Government of India, initiated a network program on predictive medicine using repeats and single nucleotide polymorphisms. The Indian Genome Variation (IGV) consortium aims to provide data on validated SNPs and repeats, both novel and reported, along with gene duplications, in over a thousand genes, in 15,000 individuals drawn from Indian subpopulations. These genes have been selected on the basis of their relevance as functional and positional candidates in many common diseases including genes relevant to pharmacogenomics. This is the first large-scale comprehensive study of the structure of the Indian population with wide-reaching implications. A comprehensive platform for Indian Genome Variation (IGV) data management, analysis and creation of IGVdb portal has also been developed. The samples are being collected following ethical guidelines of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India. This paper reveals the structure of the IGV project highlighting its various aspects like genesis, objectives, strategies for selection of genes, identification of the Indian subpopulations, collection of samples and discovery and validation of genetic markers, data analysis and monitoring as well as the project's data release policy.

Gene Diversity in Some Muslim Populations of North India

North Indian Muslim populations have historical, linguistic, and socioreligious significance to the Indian subcontinent. Although sociocultural and political dimensions of their demography are well documented, no detailed genetic structure of the populations is available. We have undertaken a survey of the gene frequencies of the ABO, Rh, PTC taste ability, sickling, and G6PD systems for different endogamous groups: Sheikh, Syed, Pathan, Ansari, Saifi, and Hindu Bania. All the groups at most loci showed statistically nonsignificant differences, except for ABO and PTC traits, for which interpopulational differences were seen. Heterozygosity ranged from 0.048 to 0.617 among the Sheikh, 0.149 to 0.599 among the Pathan, 0.105 to 0.585 among the Ansari, 0.25 to 0.869 among the Syed, 0.107 to 0.565 among the Saifi, and 0.100 to 0.492 among the Hindu Bania. The average D(ST) and G(ST) values for the five marker loci were 0.0625 +/- 0.098 and 0.1072 +/- 0.041, respectively. A dendrogram was constructed using the UPGMA clustering method. Our results revealed that the Pathan and the Sheikh form one cluster, the Syed and the Hindu Bania form another cluster, and the two clusters join together (the so-called higher caste); also, the Saifi and the Ansari form a separate cluster (lower caste). The results of the genetic distance analysis are useful for understanding the pattern of genetic relationships between different endogamous groups of Muslims.

Interethnic comparisons of three endogamous groups of West Bengal with respect to two sets of variables

The present paper focuses on the interethnic comparison among three endogamous groups (a higher caste, a tribe and a religious group) with different ethnohistorical background. A total of 700 individuals were studied from their anthropometric and dermatoglyphic traits along with their asymmetries. Statistical comparisons were carried out through the use of student’s ‘t’ test and Sanghvi’s T2 statistics. Heterogeneity for most of the anthropometric and some dermatoglyphic traits supports their different origins. Though dermatoglyphic asymmetry doesn’t reveal significant discrimination, heterogeneity in anthropometric asymmetry corroborates with their different occupations. The anthropometric distances show greater values than the dermatoglyphic distances. This difference is probably due to the fact that anthropometry is not independent of environment and not a stable character like dermatoglyphic traits.

Molecular Genetic Analysis of TPO and CD4 Loci Among Two Endogamous Ethnic Groups of Maharashtra in Western India

Molecular genetic polymorphism study was undertaken in two endogamous ethnic groups of Maharashtra in Western India at two microsatellites i.e., TPO, a tetranucleotide repeat locus and CD4, a pentanucleotide repeat locus. The two ethnic groups studied were Konkanastha Brahmins and Marathas belonging to Indo-European language family. Eighty-two random, unrelated individuals were genotyped for the locus TPO, whereas for CD4 locus, 79 individuals were genotyped.

Allele Frequency Distribution of D8S592 (STR) and PDGFA (VNTR) Among Five Endogamous Population Groups of India

Allele frequency distribution have been analyzed at D8S592 (short tandem repeat) and PDGFA (variable number of tandem repeat) among five distinct endogamous groups of India namely Ezhavas, Nayers, Arayas, Vishwakarma and Muslims. Muslims are religio-ethnic group while other populations mentioned above belong to distinct section of Hindu religion. All these populations are from Kollam district of Kerala in Southern India and speak Malayalam, an Indo-Dravidian language. A total of 228 for D8S592 and 212 for PDGFA loci, random, healthy individuals were analyzed.

Traditional Beliefs Concerning Health and Illness Among Members of the Circassian Community in Israel

Objective: To understand the cultural context of illness in a homogeneous ethnic community, the Circassians. This is the first study of health perceptions and beliefs among Circassians. The Circassians arrived in Palestine from the Caucasus Mountain region more than a century ago. They constitute an endogamous group, whose members live in relative cultural isolation in two small villages in northern Israel, preserving their language and traditions. Design: Twenty-one elderly community members (men and women) were interviewed using open-ended interviews. Results: It was found that kutze (internal bodily resilience) is the central health-related concept and as such constitutes the main building block of a healthy and resilient community. Conclusions: By focusing on this specific community, the relationships between health beliefs and social organization were explored. Our findings highlight the need for the development of treatment approaches and/or health education that are deeply embedded in the cultural context, with special emphasis on the group's value infrastructure, life habits and health-related beliefs when studying various ethnic populations.

Blood group frequencies in Romania: Microregional and ethnic differences

This study is based on the results of the blood group typing (AB0, MN, RH: D/d) of two samples from Romania and on literature data. The 40 population samples used are scattered on the today's territory of Romania. Some data refer to more or less endogamous villages or groups of villages which belong to the same marriage area, some data refer to towns with admixed populations. Samples of nine ethnic minorities have been included in the study. The results have been discussed on the basis of the historical and geographical background.

Legends, Sorcerers, and Enchanted Lizards: Door Locks of the Bamana of Mali

Pascal James Imperato. Legends, Sorcerers, and Enchanted Lizards: Door Locks of the Bamana of Mali. New York: Africana Publishing Company, 2001. xxv + 93 pages. Maps. Photographs. Bibliography. $50.00. Cloth. $30.00. Paper. Legends, Sorcerers, and Enchanted Lizards is an excellent contribution to African art and more specifically to the art of the Bamana and their neighbors, the Dogon and the Bwa. book is an impressive addition to the list of publications by Pascal lmperato, physician, ethnographer, and art historian. What makes this work exceptional is not just the breadth and depth of the research and analysis but also the fact that it addresses an area of art that has received little attention in the past: Bamana door locks and their religious, cultural, and practical implications. Imperato's devotion to the study of door locks, his personal collection of these, and the exploration of their contextual meanings come at a critical time since they have almost disappeared from the regions where they once were so abundant. Only the author's nearly four decades of collection, fieldtrips, and interviews, to say nothing of his deep respect, interest, and understanding of the Bamana, could have made this work possible. Following introductory contextual comments, Imperato's study is divided into three well-organized parts, each replete with Bamana concepts (though many of these are transcribed in the old-fashioned French way of the 1960s), beautifully illustrated with photographs and sketches. In the first section, titled The Bamana World, the author does a superb job of providing the reader with a synthesis that weaves together classic and contemporary literature on the subject in a manner accessible even to the novice in African art. This section offers a rich overview of Bamana society and culture: social structure (endogamous groups, family structure, age groups, gender relations), the economy, and the most important concept that underlies everything Bamana: Bamanaya, (i.e., the Bamana way of life). Bamanaya derives from the Bamana myth of creation and affects every aspect of Bamana life. Imperato demonstrates how this myth affects Bamana conceptualization of locks as well as all other forms of art. author explains regional variations of Bamanaya and theorizes how these may have contributed to variations in religious beliefs and practices across time and space or have been influenced by external forces such as Islam and French colonialism. second section of the book describes the religious and spiritual character of portals, doors, and locks, together with the symbolism attached to doors: In the past, for example, newly married women received complete doors or parts of them in their marriage trousseaux. …

Microsatellite Diversity in HbS Carrier and Normal Individuals of Tribal Populations of Malaria Infested Regions

Sickle cell gene is a variant form of beta globin developed in human genome as a protective mechanism to malaria. The frequency of HbS gene varies considerably with ethnic group and geographical location coinciding with distribution of malaria. Occurrence of sickle cell mutation is very high among different endogamous groups of Chattisgarh, Maharastra, and Jharkhand state with equally high incidence of malaria infection. Hardy-Weinberg test was performed to assess genetic equilibrium among HbS carriers and normal individual of Agharia, Pawra and Oraon communities of the three states. Genetic diversity in two groups across fifteen microsatellite markers was studied using three important parameters viz., number of alleles, allele size variance and heterozygosity. Significant departure from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium was observed only at TH01 (11p15.5) among the carriers, which could be due to association of the locus with beta globin gene (11p15.5). Allele diversity is observed to be very high in normal individuals at each locus (with additional rare alleles at FGA, Penta D and D21S11 loci) in comparison to sickle cell carriers. The difference in the heterozygosity level (~5%) between two groups was observed to be highest at two significant loci THOI and CSF1PO (5q33.3-34), thereby indicating maximum pressure of the malarial parasite at these loci, leading to increase in the number of repeat units, among the normal individuals. Perhaps high genetic diversity in the normal group is to add resistant allele against malaria. Our study clearly demonstrates that microsatellites, besides being hot spots for recombination has another important role in enabling the individual to adapt to the stressful environment of parasite.

Partial deficiency of the C-terminal-domain phosphatase of RNA polymerase II is associated with congenital cataracts facial dysmorphism neuropathy syndrome.

Congenital cataracts facial dysmorphism neuropathy (CCFDN) syndrome (OMIM 604168) is an autosomal recessive developmental disorder that occurs in an endogamous group of Vlax Roma (Gypsies; refs. 1-3). We previously localized the gene associated with CCFDN to 18qter, where a conserved haplotype suggested a single founder mutation. In this study, we used recombination mapping to refine the gene position to a 155-kb critical interval. During haplotype analysis, we found that the non-transmitted chromosomes of some unaffected parents carried the conserved haplotype associated with the disease. Assuming such parents to be completely homozygous across the critical interval except with respect to the disease-causing mutation, we developed a new 'not quite identical by descent' (NQIBD) approach, which allowed us to identify the mutation causing the disease by sequencing DNA from a single unaffected homozygous parent. We show that CCFDN is caused by a single-nucleotide substitution in an antisense Alu element in intron 6 of CTDP1 (encoding the protein phosphatase FCP1, an essential component of the eukaryotic transcription machinery), resulting in a rare mechanism of aberrant splicing and an Alu insertion in the processed mRNA. CCFDN thus joins the group of 'transcription syndromes' and is the first 'purely' transcriptional defect identified that affects polymerase II-mediated gene expression.

Distribution of the ABO Blood Groups and Rh(D) Factor Among the Scheduled Caste Population of Punjab

The distribution of ABO blood groups and Rh(D) factor has been studied among the four endogamous groups (Balmiki, Dhanak, Ravidasia and Ramdasia) of Scheduled Caste population of Punjab. The percen...

Maternal and paternal lineages of the Samaritan isolate: mutation rates and time to most recent common male ancestor.

The Samaritan community is a small, isolated, and highly endogamous group numbering some 650 members who have maintained extensive genealogical records for the past 13-15 generations. We performed mutation detection experiments on mitochondrial DNAs and Y chromosomes from confirmed maternal and paternal lineages to estimate mutation rates in these two haploid compartments of the genome. One hundred and twenty four DNA samples from different pedigrees (representing 200 generation links) were analyzed for the mtDNA hypervariable I and II regions, and 74 male samples (comprising 139 links) were typed for 12 Y-STRs mapping to the non-recombining portion of the Y chromosome (NRY). Excluding two somatic heteroplasmic substitutions and several length variants in the homopolymeric C run in the HVII region, no mutations were found in the Samaritans' maternal lineages. Based on mutations found in Samaritan paternal lineages, an estimate of a mutation rate of 0.42% (95% confidence interval of 0.22%-0.71%) across 12 Y-STRs was obtained. This estimate is slightly higher than those obtained in previous pedigree studies in other populations. The haplotypes identified in Samaritan paternal lineages that belong to the same haplogroup were used to estimate the number of generations elapsed since their most recent common ancestor (MRCA). The estimate of 80 generations corresponds with accepted traditions of the origin of this sect.

Microsatellite variation at 24 STR loci in three endogamous groups of Uttar Pradesh, India.

We have studied variation at 24 microsatellite markers among 50 individuals from each of three endogamous groups, Bhargavas, Chaturvedis, and non-Bhargava, non-Chaturvedi Brahmins of Uttar Pradesh, India. The number of alleles at the loci tested varied from 4 to 11, with an average of 6 at each locus. Heterozygosity was found to be quite high at all loci in the three subpopulations. It varied between 0.44 to 0.84 among Bhargavas (average 0.6510), 0.44 to 0.80 among Chaturvedis (average 0.6633 +/-), and 0.42 to 0.85 among Brahmins (average 6.694 +/-). Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium analysis revealed that these populations are under genetic equilibrium at almost all the loci tested. Comparisons of allele frequency between Bhargavas and Chaturvedis showed that they differed significantly at 14 short tandem repeat (STR) markers (p < 0.001), while Chaturvedis and Brahmins differed at 6 (p < 0.05) and Brahmins and Bhargavas at 8 (p < 0.05). Average F(IS) and F(ST) for the 24 STR markers was -0.02 and 0.013, respectively. We used both un-weighted pair group with arithmetic mean and principal components analysis to evaluate genetic distances among the three groups. Our results revealed that although there were differences at particular allele frequencies between Bhargavas vs. Brahmins, Bhargavas vs. Chaturvedis, and Brahmins vs. Chaturvedis, these differences were not statistically significant when combined over all 24 STR markers between Chaturvedis vs. Brahmins and Bhargavas vs. Brahmins. The genetic distance analysis revealed that Bhargavas are slightly apart from the other two populations.

Surname Endogamy among the Brahmin of India

Endogamy has been a strong influence on Hindu society over the centuries and most of the 75,000 subcastes or subgroups of India's complex social stratification system practise endogamy, while the further divisions within these subcastes, called gotras, are required to marry exogamously. The present study focuses on three socioculturally isolated, highly endogamous groups, to study the effect of endogamy on genetic microdifferentiation. The groups are all subdivisions or classes of the Brahmin or priest caste, namely Bhargavas and Chaturvedis and Kanyakubja and Sanadhaya Brahmin, and all groups practise patrilineal surname endogamy. Two-generation pedigrees were drawn up and microdifferentiation was estimated using parameters like mean concordance, i.e. within- gotra marriages in Bhargavas and Chaturvedis, FIT (the inbreeding coefficient or inbreeding-like effect due to endogamy), FST (within-group a priori kinship) and RST (reduced variance of the mean value of within-group a priori kinship). Our results indicate that there is an increase in same- gotra marriage showing that these groups are in fact not following the strict rule of exogamy. This is highest among Chaturvedis (17.1 percent) as compared to Bhargavas (11.2 percent), Kanykubja Brahmins (13.4 percent) and Sanadhaya Brahmin (16.92 percent). The FST is almost the same in all the populations over two generations; however, it is slightly lower among Bhargavas and highest in Brahmin indicating that although these populations follow endogamy at surname level they are exogamous at gotra/kuldevi level. The same is indicated by FIS, which shows that in spite of strict endogamy there is no inbreeding-like effect in these populations. RST measures variance among populations and our results reveal that these populations are distinct from one another.

Variation of Morphogenetic Characters in an Endogamous Group of Vannekula Kshatriya in Andhra Pradesh

Variation of Morphogenetic Characters in an Endogamous Group of Vannekula Kshatriya in Andhra Pradesh

Genomic diversities and affinities among four endogamous groups of Punjab (India) based on autosomal and mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms.

Nineteen insertion/deletion and restriction site polymorphisms on autosomal and mitochondrial genomes and mitochondrial DNA hypervariable segment 1 sequences were used to study genetic diversities and affinities among four endogamous groups of Punjab, India. High values of heterozygosity were noted in all four groups, both in the autosomal and mitochondrial genomes. The coefficient of gene differentiation among the groups, however, was found to be low. Genetic distance and phylogenetic analyses based on these data indicated that inferences on affinities among the populations were different when the two sets of loci (autosomal and mitochondrial) were considered separately. We have interpreted these results on the basis of some known historical data on migrations into this region. The results of this study when compared with the findings of some previous studies indicate that there are regional differences in the patterns of correlation between genomic and sociocultural affinities within India.

Origins and Divergence of the Roma (Gypsies)

The identification of a growing number of novel Mendelian disorders and private mutations in the Roma (Gypsies) points to their unique genetic heritage. Linguistic evidence suggests that they are of diverse Indian origins. Their social structure within Europe resembles that of the jatis of India, where the endogamous group, often defined by profession, is the primary unit. Genetic studies have reported dramatic differences in the frequencies of mutations and neutral polymorphisms in different Romani populations. However, these studies have not resolved ambiguities regarding the origins and relatedness of Romani populations. In this study, we examine the genetic structure of 14 well-defined Romani populations. Y-chromosome and mtDNA markers of different mutability were analyzed in a total of 275 individuals. Asian Y-chromosome haplogroup VI-68, defined by a mutation at the M82 locus, was present in all 14 populations and accounted for 44.8% of Romani Y chromosomes. Asian mtDNA-haplogroup M was also identified in all Romani populations and accounted for 26.5% of female lineages in the sample. Limited diversity within these two haplogroups, measured by the variation at eight short-tandem-repeat loci for the Y chromosome, and sequencing of the HVS1 for the mtDNA are consistent with a small group of founders splitting from a single ethnic population in the Indian subcontinent. Principal-components analysis and analysis of molecular variance indicate that genetic structure in extant endogamous Romani populations has been shaped by genetic drift and differential admixture and correlates with the migrational history of the Roma in Europe. By contrast, social organization and professional group divisions appear to be the product of a more recent restitution of the caste system of India.

Fraternity and endogamy. The House of Rothschild

Depuis ses debuts a la fin du dixhuitieme siecle jusqu'a la fin du vingtieme siecle, la Maison des Rotschild fut la plus renommee des banques europeennes. Son succes revient moins cependant aux competences financieres de ses membres qu'aux strategies innovatrices qu'ils surent developper en matiere de parente et de mariage. L'organisation de la banque restait en effet dependante de regles de succession et de mariage specifiques a la famille. Celle-ci comprenait cinq branches, implantees chacune dans des pays differents et dirigees a l'origine par l'un des cinq fils du fondateur Mayer Amschel. Les branches etaient reliees par d'etroits liens de fraternite que venaient renforcer des mariages endogames repetes normalement contractes entre les enfants des differents partenaires. Selon les regles etablies par Mayer Amschel que seuls les fils du fondateur puis les fils de leurs fils puissent acceder au statut de partenaire legitime, le modele generalement suivi etait qu'un homme epousât la fille du frere de son pere

Structural Profile and Fat Patterning between Two Endogamous Groups of Punjabi Females

Structural Profile and Fat Patterning between Two Endogamous Groups of Punjabi Females