An Asian-specific 9-bp deletion of mitochondrial DNA is frequently found in Polynesians

One hundred fifty Polynesians from five different island groups (Samoans, Maoris, Niueans, Cook Islanders, and Tongans) were surveyed for the presence of an Asian-specific length mutation of mitochondrial (mt) DNA by using enzymatic amplification with thermostable Taq DNA polymerase. Ninety-three percent of Polynesians exhibited this 9-bp deletion, including 100% of Samoans, Maoris, and Niueans. The same deletion was also found in 8% of Tolais from New Britain and in 14% of coastal New Guineans. A deletion frequency of 82% in Fijians confirmed their ethnic affinity to Polynesians. In contrast, the deletion was absent in 30 New Guinea highlanders and 31 Australian aborigines, the only exception being an aborigine who also had the Southeast Asian triplicated zeta-globin gene rearrangement in his nuclear DNA. These data support the theories claiming that an independent group of pre-Polynesian ancestors who colonized into the Pacific were ultimately derived from east Asia.