Serogenetic analysis in the study of the population structure of the eastern Adriatic (Croatia)

Abstract

The anthropogenetic structure of six island and peninsular populations (Brac, Hvar, Korcula, Peljesac, Silba, and Olib) of the eastern Adriatic, Croatia, is analyzed on the basis of the study of four different erythrocyte antigen systems or groups (ABO, Rhesus, Kell-Celano, P) and two erythrocyte isoenzyme systems (ACP, ESD). The average sample size was 555 individuals. Allele frequencies, genetic distances, and gene diversity values were computed. The results indicate that all the populations in question have preserved their separate characteristics over the course of their (micro)evolution to the present day; this is especially noticeable for the island populations of Korcula and Olib, as these are distinguished from the other four populations by a greater degree of isolation. Today's genetic structure of the six populations can be explained through the existing historical and cultural data for the region in question, which indicate that over the course of their ethnohistory they were all influenced by significant waves of immigration and selective emigrations that must have greatly shaped their present-day population structure.