GENETIC DIVERSITY OF ATHABASKAN INDIANS

If Athabaskan Indians are subdivided by linguistic group, a wide diversity in gene frequencies is disclosed. This diversity approximated that found when linguistically unrelated groups were compared. It was greater than that found for Eskimo-Aleuts, even though the latter are more heterogeneous linguistically and subject to a wider variety of environmental conditions. Contiguity, geographic distance, and linguistic similarity were not reflected in similarity of gene frequencies. The gene frequenices found for Athabaskans appear to be the result of random processes - survivor effects and genetic drift of small isolated groups. They appear to be of no value in detecting ethnic relationships. © 1979 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.