Historically, a number of local Hindu caste groups have converted to Islam and formed religious endogamous groups. Therefore the local caste groups and religious communities in a region are expected to show genetic relatedness. In this study we investigate the genetic relationship between Tamil-speaking (Dravidian language) Muslims (Sunni), six endogamous Hindu castes, and a tribal ethnic group (Irulars) using 13 CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) autosomal microsatellite markers. Muslims show the highest average heterozygosity (0.405) compared to the other groups. The neighbor-joining tree and the multidimensional-scaling plot show clustering of Tamil-speaking Muslims with three caste groups (Gounder, Paraiyar, and Vanniyar), whereas the Irular tribe is separated out of the cluster.
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1 December 2008
Genetic Affinity Between Diverse Ethnoreligious Communities of Tamil Nadu, India: A Microsatellite Study
M. Eaaswarkhanth,
T. S. Vasulu,
Ikramul Haque
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Human Biology
Vol. 80 • No. 6
December 2008
Vol. 80 • No. 6
December 2008
AUTOSOMAL MICROSATELLITE MARKERS
CSF1PO
D13S317
D16S539
D18S51
D19S433
D21S11