Maternal variation in Huichol and Mixtec populations from Mexico

American Southwest indicating recent expansion in this region. It is hypothesied that later
migrations and expansions have blurred the pre-existing mtDNA structure, at least in this
region, and provides us to see preexisting mtDNA structure (Kemp et al., 2010).
Today inhabitants of Mexico and Mesoamerica could be divided into mainly two distinct
groups: mestizos (individuals with recent admixed ancestry) and native indigenous groups.
Although mestizos represent nearly 95% of total population, the Native American component
is highly prevalent in their gene pool. It varies by region depending of recent postcolonisational
demographic history, but generally maternal component could be up to 100%
Native American while paternal is mostly European.
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