Beta-globin gene cluster haplotypes in an admixed Venezuelan population

Haplotype frequencies for the beta-globin gene cluster were determined in 96 chromosomes from a Venezuelan mixed population. Twelve haplotypes were observed, the most frequent of which were 2, 3, and 4; all others showed prevalences below 10%. When the results were compared with those of 13 other groups using a phylogenetic tree, they clustered in an intermediate position somewhat nearer to those of four sub-Saharan African populations. This is in accordance with historical and other genetic data which indicate an important contribution of people of African ancestry to this population. The high heterozygosity (80%) and the intermediate position in the tree, on the other hand, possibly reflect past intermixture of these African-derived individuals with Europeans and Amerindians. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 9:323-327, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.