Genetic variation at three VNTR loci (D1S80, APOB, and D17S5) in two tribal populations of Andhra Pradesh, India

This study reports the genetic variation at three variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) loci (APOB, D17S5 and D1S80) in two tribes (Thoti and Kolam) of Andhra Pradesh, India. Kolams constitute 1% of the total scheduled tribal population of Andhra Pradesh, while Thoti is a numerically small tribe. All three genetic loci were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and were polymorphic in both populations. At the D1S80 locus, both populations showed higher frequencies of allele *31 (9-14%) than other Indian populations. In the APOB system, Thoti showed a very high frequency of allele *37 (54%) and for D17S5 system allele *4 was the most common in Thoti (32%) and allele *2 in Kolam (28%). Both tribes differed statistically significantly from other tribal populations of the region. The level of gene differentiation was low (GST = 0.038) for Indian tribal populations. The allele frequency distribution, heterozygosity and genetic diversity analysis shows that the observed genetic variation is socially and geographically structured.     

Genetic variation and relationships at six VNTR loci in two distinct sample populations in Brazil

BACKGROUND: The Brazilian population has been the focus of intensive genetic study due to admixture characteristics whereas there are few reports on the variability of VNTR loci in Brazil. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse genetic parameters in sample populations from two geographically distant regions: S?o Luis City, in Maranh?o State and Campinas City, in S?o Paulo State. We investigated if distinct colonization influences could produce detectable differences in genetic background. SUBJECT AND METHODS: DNA samples from peripheral drained blood were obtained from unrelated individuals who underwent paternity testing. Allelic variation in six VNTR loci (D2S44, D4S139, D5S110, D8S358, DI0S28 and D17S79) was evaluated. The results were compared to reference databases available for general Latin-derived European and African-American populations as well as for other Brazilian groups. RESULTS: This study reveals that forensic population parameters did not show differences among regions, although we detected admixture values varying between the south-east and north-east of Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: Differences between the two samples are probably due to different admixture proportions of European- and African-derived alleles in each region: both populations are in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. In addition, the allelic frequency for all loci, in both populations, can be used as database for forensic purposes.     

Genetic variation and relationships at six VNTR loci in two distinct sample populations in Brazil

Background: The Brazilian population has been the focus of intensive genetic study due to admixture characteristics whereas there are few reports on the variability of VNTR loci in Brazil.

Primary objective: The aim of this study was to analyse genetic parameters in sample populations from two geographically distant regions: São Luís City, in Maranhão State and Campinas City, in São Paulo State. We investigated if distinct colonization influences could produce detectable differences in genetic background.

Subject and methods: DNA samples from peripheral drained blood were obtained from unrelated individuals who underwent paternity testing. Allelic variation in six VNTR loci (D2S44, D4S139, D5S110, D8S358, D10S28 and D17S79) was evaluated. The results were compared to reference databases available for general Latin-derived European and African–American populations as well as for other Brazilian groups.

Results: This study reveals that forensic population parameters did not show differences among regions, although we detected admixture values varying between the south-east and north-east of Brazil.

Conclusions: Differences between the two samples are probably due to different admixture proportions of European- and African-derived alleles in each region; both populations are in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. In addition, the allelic frequency for all loci, in both populations, can be used as database for forensic purposes.     

Serogenetic studies among an urban and two tribal populations of Orissa, India

Phenotype and gene frequencies of blood groups, plasma proteins and red cell enzymes (23 systems) are examined in two tribal and one low social class urban population of Orissa, India. Genetic heterogeneity is suggested not only between the tribal and urban populations but also between the tribal groups. The gene frequencies of tribal populations indicate a genepool with an ancestral component from the populations of north-east India with some mongoloid affinity, but it seems that there has also been some gene flow from them into the urban population.     

GM and KM allotypes in eight tribal populations of madyha Pradesh and Orissa, India

Summary Serum samples from eight endogamous Indian tribal populations of Madhya Pradesh (Dhurwa, Halba, Bhatra, Muria, Maria) and Orissa (Deshia Khond, Binjhal, Kisan) with a total of n=731 unrelated individuals were typed for G1M (1,2,3,17), G3M (5,10,11,13,14,15,16,21,26), and KM (1). In seven of these populations five different GM haplotypes were found:GM*1,17;21,26; GM*1,17;10,11,13,15,16; GM*1,2,17;21,26; GM*1,3;5,10,11,13,14,26; andGM*3;5,10,11,13,14,26. In the Kisan sample the haplotypeGM*1,2,17; 21,26 is absent. The intergroup variability in the distribution of these haplotypes is considerable and statistically highly significant. The reasons for that can be attributed to the ethnohistory and to the genetic isolation of these eight endogamous tribal populations. The GM haplotype distribution pattern of all these groups is quite different from that of the non-tribal populations of India, whereas it is in good agreement with that of the so far tested other tribal populations from India. This can be explained by different origin and history of the Indian tribal and non-tribal populations. In the KM system, too, remarkable variability is seen in the distribution of phenotype and allele frequencies among the eight tribal populations under study.     

Allele sharing at six VNTR loci and genetic distances among three ethnically defined human populations

Because of their high degree of polymorphisms, the variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) loci have become extremely useful in studies involving gene mapping, determination of identity and relatedness of individuals, and evolutionary relationships among populations. However, there are some concerns regarding whether or not the patterns of such genetic variation can be studied by the classical population models that are developed for studying genetic variation at blood groups and protein loci, since VNTR alleles detected by molecular size may not always be identical by descent. Although theoretical and empirical studies demonstrate that this concern is overstated, this study provides further support of the application of the traditional mutation-drift models to predict the pattern of intra- and inter-populational variation at VNTR loci. By comparing genetic variation at six VNTR loci with that at 16 blood groups and protein loci in three ethnically defined populations, we show that the patterns of variability at these two sets of loci are in general parallel to each other. Shared VNTR alleles among populations are generally more frequent than the ones which are not present in every population; the proportion of shared alleles among populations increases with increasing genetic similarity of populations; and the number of VNTR alleles is positively correlated with gene diversity at these loci. All of these observations are in agreement with the prediction of the mutation-drift models, particularly when the possibility of forward-backward mutations are taken into account. This parallelism of genetic variation at VNTR loci and blood groups/protein loci further asserts the potential of using such hypervariable loci for microevoltionary studies, where closely related populations may exhibit considerably less allele frequency differences at the classical blood group and protein loci. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation and substructure among the tribal populations of Andhra Pradesh,India

We analyzed mtDNA HVR‐I variation among six tribal populations—Andh, Pardan, Gond, Naikpod, Kolam and Chenchu—from Andhra Pradesh. These tribes belong to the Dravidian and Indo‐European linguistic group. Except for Chenchu, the rest of the tribal samples were collected from two or more than two locations. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of the sequences yields a significant F_ST value (0.045), suggesting a fair degree of genetic differentiation among these tribes. When the tribal samples collected from different locations were considered as subpopulations in AMOVA, it is found that the variation among the subunits within the tribal groups is smaller than among the tribes. However, when Chenchu is removed from the analysis, the magnitude of within and between groups diversity becomes similar. In the multidimensional scaling plot based on F_ST distances the Chenchu is found to be the extreme outlier. Exclusion of Chenchu from AMOVA analysis and multidimensional scaling plot does not result in any specific pattern of population clustering. Mismatch distribution suggest that Chenchu might have undergone a bottleneck effect and does not show evidence of past demographic expansion as shown by the other five tribal groups. A comparison of AP tribes with some other caste and tribal populations of India suggests common maternal genetic heritage. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Genetic studies in four tribal populations of the Surat District, Gujarat (India)

Four tribal populations (Chaudhuri, Vasava, Kotwalia and Gamit) of the Surat District in Gujarat (India) have been investigated for the distribution of 22 polymorphic systems of the blood. The main results of this study are as follows: The allele frequencies show considerable heterogeneity among these populations. From the genetic structure analysis it is seen that only a small fraction of the total gene diversity accounts for genetic differences among them, and the major portion of it is due to genetic variation within them. Analysis of genetic distance according to Nei (1972) reveals that the Vasava and Kotwalia show a rather close genetic relationship, while the Chaudhuri and Gamit differ from both the Vasava and Kotwalia.     

Genetic studies in four tribal populations of the Surat District,Gujarat (India)

Four tribal populations (Chaudhuri, Vasava, Kotwalia and Gamit) of the Surat District in Gujarat (India) have been investigated for the distribution of 22 polymorphic systems of the blood. The main results of this study are as follows: (1) The allele frequencies show considerable heterogeneity among these populations. (2) From the genetic structure analysis it is seen that only a small fraction of the total gene diversity accounts for genetic differences among them, and the major portion of it is due to genetic variation within them. (3) Analysis of genetic distance according to Nei (1972) reveals that the Vasava and Kotwalia show a rather close genetic relationship, while the Chaudhuri and Gamit differ from both the Vasava and Kotwalia.     

Study of enzyme polymorphism and haemoglobin patterns amongst sixteen tribal populations of central India (Orissa,Madhya Pradesh,and Maharashtra)

Summary A survey was conducted to study the genetic differentiation among 16 tribal groups of Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra belonging to different ethnic and linguistic affiliations. Sixteen hundred and fifteen blood samples from both sexes were tested for 5 red cell enzyme systems: ACP, ESD, PGD, GLO, LDH, and Hb pattern. Three hundred and nineteen male individuals were tested for G-6-PD enzyme deficiency. The distribution of the enzyme markers and Hb show a range of variation which are more or less within the Indian range. Case of homozygous HbSS were detected in all the tribes except 3 tribes in Orissa. Two cases of LDH Cal-1 homozygote were found in two Dravidian language speaking Orissa tribes. The X²-values for testing the homogeneity of gene frequencies indicate a non-significant heterogeneity for all alleles in the individual system. Within population diversity seems to be larger than between population diversity. The degree of over all genetic differentiation as measured by G_ST value is 0.0154±0.0071.     

Molecular variants of G6PD deficiency among certain tribal communities of Orissa, India

This study investigated the extent of molecular heterogeneity of the G6PD enzyme among certain aboriginal (tribal) populations of Orissa, an eastern Indian state, which is hyperendemic for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. A total of 3480 males from 14 tribal communities were screened, and 223 (6.4%) individuals were found to be G6PD deficient. Molecular analysis revealed that 59.2% of deficient individuals had the G6PD Orissa mutation and 37.2% had the G6PD Mediterranean mutation. The presence of G6PD Med has not been previously reported among the tribal populations of Orissa. Interestingly, both G6PD Med and G6PD Orissa were found among communities belonging to the Mundari (Austroasiatic) linguistic group, while G6PD Med was exclusive to Dravidian and G6PD Orissa to Indo-Aryan groups. Erythrocytic G6PD enzyme activity was severely reduced in the case of G6PD Med type (0.64-1.1 IU/g Hb) as well as among the uncharacterized samples, but was moderate in G6PD Orissa type (1.2-3.1 IU/g Hb). Anaemia was moderate among the individuals with G6PD Med mutation and mild among individuals with G6PD Orissa mutations. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency as well as molecular variants of the Gd- gene is highly heterogeneous among the tribal population of Orissa. The high endemicity of P. falciparum malaria has probably selected two different molecular variants of Gd- at different points in time, which is discussed.     

Genetic variation at 15 polymorphic, autosomal, short tandem repeat loci of two Hungarian populations in Transylvania, Romania

Aim

To determine allele distribution and genetic parameters for two populations living in the Romanian region of Transylvania: Hungarians from Cluj and Szeklers from Covasna county, and to compare the results between the two populations and with other Hungarian and Romanian populations.

Methods

Allele frequencies for 15 autosomal STR loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, VWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818, and FGA), several forensic parameters, and paternity parameters were determined for Szekler Hungarians of Covasna county (CV-Sze, n = 278) and non-Szekler Transylvanian Hungarians, who were represented by Hungarians from Cluj county (CJ-Hu, n = 146).

Results

Average expected heterozygosity was above 70%. The combined power of discrimination and combined power of exclusion values were high. All tested loci were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, with the exception of the CSF1PO locus for Covasna county. Pairwise population comparison tests and exact population differentiation tests showed no significant differences between the CJ-Hu and CV-Sze populations, and the CV-Sze group showed greater differences from other Romanian populations than did the CJ-Hu group.

Conclusion

Hungarians from Cluj show greater genetic heterogeneity than Szeklers from Covasna. The loci tested are suitable for studying micro-differentiation between these two populations, and between these populations and other populations in Hungary and Romania.Since its introduction 25 years ago, DNA fingerprint analysis has become a major tool in diagnosing and treating disease, forensic identification, taxonomy, phylogenetics, and other applications (1,2). Microsatellites, also called simple sequence repeats or short tandem repeats (STR), are among the most polymorphic DNA markers. These sequences of 2-6 basepairs are easily amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and show widespread and uniform distribution throughout the genome. They show a high level of polymorphism, which is relatively stable (3). These properties of STR loci make them suitable for numerous genetic, forensic, and medical applications.According to the 2002 census in Romania (4), 19.6% of the residents of the Transylvania region belong to the Hungarian ethnic group, with most of them living in the Szekler (Székely) counties of Covasna and Harghita. Earlier genetic studies have suggested that ancient Hungarians and Szekler Hungarians separated from each other more than 1000 years ago. Some centuries ago, the two Szekler groups separated from each other, which affected the genetic structure of these groups (5). In the last decade, genetic parameters for the Szekler population (HR-Sze) and Csángó population (HR-Csn) from Harghita have been published (6), but no population study has been conducted on Szekler communities from Covasna and other, non-Szekler Hungarians, from Transylvania.This study sheds light on the genetic makeup of Hungarian communities from Transylvania by determining CODIS STR allele frequencies, as well as forensic and paternity data for the Szekler Hungarians of Covasna county (CV-Sze) and non-Szekler Hungarians of Cluj county (CJ-Hu).Using allele frequencies, we carried out pairwise comparisons and differentiation tests to test the following hypotheses:1. There is significant genetic distance between the non-Szekler Hungarians (CJ-Hu) and the Szekler populations (HR-Sze and CV-Sze), which indicates genetic isolation of the two Szekler groups from the other Hungarian communities living in Transylvania.2. There is significant genetic distance between the two Szekler populations (HR-Sze and CV-Sze), which reveals genetic isolation of the Szekler communities.3. There is a positive correlation between geographical distance and genetic distance when ethnic Hungarian populations in this study are compared with other ethnic Romanian populations.4. As a result of population migration and ethnic cross-breeding, non-Szekler Hungarians in this study show greater genetic heterogeneity than do Szekler Hungarians.     

Molecular variants of G6PD deficiency among certain tribal communities of Orissa,India

This study investigated the extent of molecular heterogeneity of the G6PD enzyme among certain aboriginal (tribal) populations of Orissa, an eastern Indian state, which is hyperendemic for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. A total of 3480 males from 14 tribal communities were screened, and 223 (6.4%) individuals were found to be G6PD deficient. Molecular analysis revealed that 59.2% of deficient individuals had the G6PD Orissa mutation and 37.2% had the G6PD Mediterranean mutation. The presence of G6PD Med has not been previously reported among the tribal populations of Orissa. Interestingly, both G6PD Med and G6PD Orissa were found among communities belonging to the Mundari (Austroasiatic) linguistic group, while G6PD Med was exclusive to Dravidian and G6PD Orissa to Indo-Aryan groups. Erythrocytic G6PD enzyme activity was severely reduced in the case of G6PD Med type (0.64–1.1 IU/g Hb) as well as among the uncharacterized samples, but was moderate in G6PD Orissa type (1.2–3.1 IU/g Hb). Anaemia was moderate among the individuals with G6PD Med mutation and mild among individuals with G6PD Orissa mutations. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency as well as molecular variants of the Gd^– gene is highly heterogeneous among the tribal population of Orissa. The high endemicity of P. falciparum malaria has probably selected two different molecular variants of Gd^– at different points in time, which is discussed.     

Sexually transmitted infections in tribal populations of central India

This community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 17 tribal villages of the Kundam block of the Jabalpur district of India. Individuals with sexually transmitted disease (STD) syndromes were enumerated and the specimens were collected for the laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea, bacterial vaginosis and syphilis sero-reactivity were diagnosed by standard microbiological techniques. Chlamydia infection was detected by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A definite laboratory diagnosis of STIs could be established in 36.5% individuals. The most common STI in females was trichomoniasis, while in males, gonorrhoea was the most common. The highest proportion of individuals with STIs (39.2%) was in the age group 30–39 years. There is a need to focus on the primary prevention of STIs in the area.     

Anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status of Kondh: a tribal population of Kandhmal District, Orissa, India

A cross-sectional study, using body mass index (BMI), was undertaken to describe the anthropometric profile and nutritional status of the Desia Kondh, a tribal population of Orissa, India, which is characterized by rural poverty. A total of 326 (male = 154 and female = 172) adult (aged > or = 18 years) Kondh (Desia Kondh) from three villages were studied. Approximately 16% of males and 26% of females were severely thin (BMI < 16.0). Overall, the extent of undernutrition (BMI < 18.5) was found to be very high (> 75%), with prevalence of undernutrition in men and women of 74.5% and 76.6%, respectively. There was a significantly, p < 0.05, greater proportion of females in the lowest BMI groups. There was also a significant, p < 0.01, positive association between monthly income and BMI. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a high proportion of adult undernutrition and indicates a need for nutrition intervention programmes among the Kondh.     

Genetic variation observed at three tetrameric short tandem repeat loci HumTHO1, TPOX,and CSF1PO— in five ethnic population groups of northeastern India

This paper portrays the genetic variation observed at three tetrameric short tandem repeat (STR) loci HumTHO1, TPOX, and CSF1PO in five ethnic population groups from northeastern India. The study also specifies the suitability of use of these markers for forensic testing. The populations studied included three tribal groups (Kuki, Naga and Hmar), one Mongoloid caste group (Meitei), and a religious caste group (Manipuri Muslims). The loci were highly polymorphic in the populations, and all loci met Hardy–Weinberg expectations. No evidence for association of alleles among the loci was detected. The probability of match for the three loci of the most frequent genotype in the five population groups ranged between 2.6 × 10⁻⁴ and 6.6 × 10⁻⁵. The average heterozygosity among the population groups was approximately 70% with the overall extent of gene differentiation among the five groups being high (G_st = 0.046). Genetic affinity among the populations reveal very close association between the Kuki, Hmar, Naga, and Meitei. The Manipuri Muslims, despite being found in the same region, have had no admixture with these populations and maintain a substantial distance with the other groups. The genetic polymorphism data suggest that the studied systems can be used for human identity testing to estimate the frequency of a multiple locus STR DNA profile in population groups of northeastern India. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 13:23–29, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Genetic variation at fibrinogen loci and plasma fibrinogen levels.

In view of the controversy regarding genetic variation at the fibrinogen loci and plasma fibrinogen levels, we have analysed DNA polymorphisms at the alpha (TaqI), beta (BclI and HaeIII), and gamma (KpnI/SacI) fibrinogen loci in 247 subjects whose plasma fibrinogen was determined by clotting and nephelometric assays. Strong linkage disequilibrium was found between the alpha/TaqI and gamma/KpnI/SacI markers and between the beta/BclI and beta/HaeIII markers. A lesser association was found between the alpha/TaqI and beta/BclI loci, beta/BclI and gamma/KpnI/SacI markers, alpha/TaqI and beta/HaeIII markers, and the gamma/KpnI/SacI and beta/HaeIII markers. This is consistent with the known physical order of these loci and suggests a relative excess of recombination in the alpha/gamma to beta interval. Plasma fibrinogen levels, by either assay method, when corrected or uncorrected for age, sex, and smoking habit, did not show any statistically significant associations with the four fibrinogen polymorphisms examined at the alpha, beta, and gamma fibrinogen loci either singly or when analysed as a haplotype.     

Geographic contiguity and genetic affinity among five ethnic populations of Manipur,India: further molecular studies based on VNTR and STR loci

BACKGROUND: Apart from traditional markers studied among a few numerically small, geographically defined surveys among Mongoloid populations in northeastern parts of India, very little is known about their genomic diversity at the molecular level. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to investigate how best the variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) and short tandem repeat (STR) loci together can detect the patterns of the genetic affinity among five geographically contiguous, linguistically and socio-culturally diverse Mongoloid-affiliated populations of Manipur in northeastern regions of India. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from unrelated and randomly selected volunteers of five ethnic populations (Meitei, Kuki, Naga, Hmar and Manipuri Muslim) from different parts of the state. Allelic variation in four minisatellite loci (D1S7, D4S139, D5S110 and D17S79) and three STR loci (vWA, FESFPS and F13AO1) was studied. RESULTS: Average heterozygosity values among the five groups for the minisatellite range from 68% to 94%, while the hypervariable three STR loci were between 60% and 88%. In the populations, all the studied loci were highly polymorphic, with almost no departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The gene differentiation for the VNTR loci was lower and moderate (G(st) = 0.030) in comparison with microsatellites (G(st) = 0.043). The neighbour-joining method of clustering based on both type of molecular markers reveals a close cluster for the tribal groups of Kuki, Naga and Hmar, while Manipur Muslim stand distinct in both the trees. The clustering pattern obtained from the combined DNA marker loci matches more closely the pattern from STR loci than that obtained from VNTR loci. CONCLUSIONS: The results reinforce that using both VNTR and STR loci in detecting regional genetic affinity among the populations is more effective than using VNTR or STR independently, and also confirm the results obtained from the serological and electrophoretic data. However, the clustering pattern obtained from combined DNA markers is more in conformity with the pattern obtained by STR loci rather than with VNTR loci. Despite linguistic, geographical and cultural barriers, the populations show genetic affinity among the four populations except in the case of the migrant Manipur Muslim group.     

Geographic contiguity and genetic affinity among five ethnic populations of Manipur,India: further molecular studies based on VNTR and STR loci

Background : Apart from traditional markers studied among a few numerically small, geographically defined surveys among Mongoloid populations in northeastern parts of India, very little is known about their genomic diversity at the molecular level. Primary objective : This study seeks to investigate how best the variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) and short tandem repeat (STR) loci together can detect the patterns of the genetic affinity among five geographically contiguous, linguistically and socio-culturally diverse Mongoloid-affiliated populations of Manipur in northeastern regions of India. Subject and methods : Blood samples were collected from unrelated and randomly selected volunteers of five ethnic populations (Meitei, Kuki, Naga, Hmar and Manipuri Muslim) from different parts of the state. Allelic variation in four minisatellite loci (D1S7, D4S139, D5S110 and D17S79) and three STR loci (vWA, FESFPS and F13AO1) was studied. Results : Average heterozygosity values among the five groups for the minisatellite range from 68% to 94%, while the hypervariable three STR loci were between 60% and 88%. In the populations, all the studied loci were highly polymorphic, with almost no departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The gene differentiation for the VNTR loci was lower and moderate ( G st = 0.030) in comparison with microsatellites ( G st = 0.043). The neighbour-joining method of clustering based on both type of molecular markers reveals a close cluster for the tribal groups of Kuki, Naga and Hmar, while Manipur Muslim stand distinct in both the trees. The clustering pattern obtained from the combined DNA marker loci matches more closely the pattern from STR loci than that obtained from VNTR loci. Conclusions : The results reinforce that using both VNTR and STR loci in detecting regional genetic affinity among the populations is more effective than using VNTR or STR independently, and also confirm the results obtained from the serological and electrophoretic data. However, the clustering pattern obtained from combined DNA markers is more in conformity with the pattern obtained by STR loci rather than with VNTR loci. Despite linguistic, geographical and cultural barriers, the populations show genetic affinity among the four populations except in the case of the migrant Manipur Muslim group.