Volume 24, Issue 21, 3 November 2014, Pages 2518–2525
Article
Genome-wide Ancestry Patterns in Rapanui Suggest Pre-European Admixture with Native Americans
- Referred to by
Human Genetics: Pre-Columbian Pacific Contact
- Current Biology, Volume 24, Issue 21, 3 November 2014, Pages R1038-R1040
Highlights
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- We genotyped and analyzed >650,000 SNP markers for 27 native Rapanui
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- Rapanui bear Polynesian (∼76%), Native American (∼8%), and European (∼16%) ancestry
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- The Native American admixture event was dated to 19–23 generations ago
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- Our genome-wide data can be explained by pre-European trans-Pacific contact(s)
Summary
Background
Rapa
Nui (Easter Island), located in the easternmost corner of the
Polynesian Triangle, is one of the most isolated locations on the planet
inhabited by humans. Archaeological and genetic evidence suggests that
the island was first colonized by Polynesians around AD 1200, during
their eastward expansion. Although it remains contentious whether
Polynesians reached South America, suggestive evidence has been brought
forward supporting the possibility of Native American contact prior to
the European “discovery” of the island in AD 1722.
Results
We
generated genome-wide data for 27 Rapanui. We found a mostly Polynesian
ancestry among Rapanui and detected genome-wide patterns consistent
with Native American and European admixture. By considering the
distribution of local ancestry tracts of eight unrelated Rapanui, we
found statistical support for Native American admixture dating to AD
1280–1495 and European admixture dating to AD 1850–1895.
Conclusions
These genetic results can be explained by one or more pre-European trans-Pacific contacts.
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