Human enzyme polymorphism in the Canary Islands. V. Western Islands.

Abstract

Autochthonous human samples of the three westernmost islands of the Canarian Archipelago, La Palma, Gomera, and Hierro, have been analyzed for eight red cell polymorphic enzymes. Only a small intra and inter-insular differentiation exists among these three islands. However, a marked heterogeneity is found when all seven islands of the Archipelago are compared by Nei's genetic distances [1972]. Nevertheless, there is no correlation between genetic and geographic distances. Historical factors could explain the frequency similarities of some distant islands. The rare variant GD*A+Negroid allele, and the endemic GD*Gc allele, previously found in other islands, have also been detected in this survey.