'Mutiny on the Bounty': the genetic history of Norfolk Island reveals extreme gender-biased admixture

Investigative Genetics
Miles BentonLyn R Grffiths

Abstract

The Pacific Oceania region was one of the last regions of the world to be settled via human migration. Here we outline a settlement of this region that has given rise to a uniquely admixed population. The current Norfolk Island population has arisen from a small number of founders with mixed Caucasian and Polynesian ancestry, descendants of a famous historical event. The 'Mutiny on the Bounty' has been told in history books, songs and the big screen, but recently this story can be portrayed through comprehensive molecular genetics. Written history details betrayal and murder leading to the founding of Pitcairn Island by European mutineers and the Polynesian women who left Tahiti with them. Investigation of detailed genealogical records supports historical accounts. Using genetics, we show distinct maternal Polynesian mitochondrial lineages in the present day population, as well as a European centric Y-chromosome phylogeny. These results comprehensively characterise the unique gender-biased admixture of this genetic isolate and further support the historical records relating to Norfolk Island. Our results significantly refine previous population genetic studies investigating Polynesian versus Caucasian diversity in the Norfolk I...Continue Reading

References

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Dec 10, 2013·American Journal of Human Genetics·Miles C BentonLyn R Griffiths

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
PCR
electrophoresis
chips
genotyping

Software Mentioned

Kinship2 R
SAMtools
APE
Inkscape
R
PLINK
Phylotree
Bowtie2
Build36

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