The Brazilian Xavante Indians revisited: new protein genetic studies

A total of 94 individuals from the Xavante village of Rio das Mortes were variously studied in relation to 28 protein genetic systems. No variation was observed for 15 of them, in accordance with previous studies. Of the remaining 13, four (Rh, Duffy, acid phosphatase, and GC) showed significant departures from the averages obtained in 32 other South American Indian populations. If studies performed in the 1960s are considered, there is indication that no significant changes in this village's gene pool has occurred in the last 30 years. Comparison with two other Xavante populations included nine systems with variation, and for three of them (MNSs, Rh, and Duffy) significant differences were found. Genetically the Rio das Mortes are closer to the São Marcos than to the Simões Lopes Xavantes. A dendrogram considering 25 genetic systems and 33 South American Indian populations was constructed. There the Xavante were grouped together, in two neighboring clusters, with three other tribes who speak Ge languages, But these clusters also present populations who speak other languages, and the reproducibility of the tree is low. South American Indians, at least with this set of markers, do not seem to be clearly classified into defined subgroups.