Genetic continuity across a deeply divergent linguistic contact zone in North Maluku, Indonesia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The islands of North Maluku, Indonesia occupy a central position in the major prehistoric dispersal streams that shaped the peoples of Island Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Within this region a linguistic contact zone exists where speakers of Papuan and Austronesian languages reside in close proximity. Here we use population genetic data to assess the extent to which North Maluku populations experienced admixture of Asian genetic material, and whether linguistic boundaries reflect genetic differentiation today.

Results

Autosomal and X-linked markers reveal overall Asian admixture of 67% in North Maluku, demonstrating a substantial contribution of genetic material into the region from Asia. We observe no evidence of population structure associated with ethnicity o

SUBMITTER: Wilder JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3252253 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature