Apportionment of Genetic Variation in Contemporary Aleut and Eskimo Populations of Alaska Using Anthropometrics and Classical Genetic Markers

Abstract

This thesis attempts to answer: 1) How has history and evolution shaped the relationship of Aleut and Eskimo populations? and 2) What is the relationship of Aleuts and Eskimos to other Native American populations? Questions are addressed using anthropometric measurements and classical genetic markers. Relethford-Blangero method was applied to athropometrics of the study populations. Results were compared to Nei's genetic distance matrix of classical genetic markers. Multivariate analyses were used to determine relationships among Aleuts, Eskimos and other American Indians. This study shows a close phylogenetic relationship among Aleuts and Eskimos. Anthropometrics reveal a close relationship between Savoonga, Gambell and St. Paul due to shared European admixture. Despite shared population history, St. George did not cluster with the other Bering Sea natives in the PCA, NJT, or unscaled R-matrices; highlighting affects of genetic drift on St. George. A close relationship between Aleuts, Eskimos, Northwest, and Northeast Natives was evident.