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Testing migration patterns and estimating founding population size in Polynesia by using human mtDNA sequences

R P Murray-McIntosh1, B J Scrimshaw, P J Hatfield

  • 1Institute for Molecular BioSciences, Massey University, P.O. Box 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand. rosmm@compuserve.com

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|July 22, 1998
PubMed
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Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis reveals exceptionally low genetic diversity in New Zealand Maori, suggesting a founding population of around 70 women. This finding supports historical accounts of Polynesian migration and settlement patterns.

Area of Science:

  • Human population genetics
  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis
  • Polynesian genetic diversity

Background:

  • Human mtDNA hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) shows reduced variability in Polynesians.
  • Variability decreases geographically from western to eastern Polynesia.
  • New Zealand Maori exhibit extremely low mtDNA variability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic diversity of New Zealand Maori mtDNA.
  • To estimate the size of the founding female population of Maori.
  • To assess the role of founder effects in Polynesian settlement.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 54 HVR1 sequences from New Zealand Maori.
  • Integration with 268 published Pacific mtDNA sequences.
  • Three-step simulation modeling founding population dynamics.

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Main Results:

  • Maori HVR1 sequences show the lowest variability of any large human group studied, with only four haplotypes.
  • Haplotype frequencies are markedly skewed, consistent with founder effects.
  • Simulation estimates a founding female population of approximately 70 women (50-100 range).

Conclusions:

  • The genetic data support a series of founder effects from small populations settling new island groups.
  • The estimated founding population size is too large for 'castaway' models.
  • Findings align with Maori oral history and experimental canoe voyages.