Maternal variation in Huichol and Mixtec populations from Mexico

INTRODUCTION
For decades mitochondrial DNA is being used in human phylogenetic studies, letting us to
reveal the evolutionary relationships between populations. Based on the mtDNA mutational
pattern, all living people can be divided into different maternal lineages, which are generally
geographically specific. The lineages` distribution pattern, frequency and diversity can tell us
a lot about human migrations.
The Americas were the last continents reached by modern humans. Although studies for
understanding the peopling process of the Western Hemisphere have lasted for decades, it still
is intriguing subject. Long time it was accepted that Clovis people were the first inhabitants of
the Americas. Now, with new archaeological findings and accumulating genetic variation data
with higher resolution, the Clovis-First model has been challenged. The questions have
remained open.
The less studied American region is Middle America. Being an important barrier for the gene
flow between North and South America, this region represents the most ethnic and language
diversity of the continent. Continuously, most studies of Native Americans mtDNA in this
region are based on the analysis of its control region; yet only high resolution analysis can
provide sufficient information into the early population history of Native Americans.
This study is part of a larger project, which aim is to understand the peopling process of
Americas through analysing valuable ancient DNA data and genetic variation in
contemporary population in high resolution. The purpose of present study is to characterize
maternal variability of two indigenous populations from Mexico – Huichols and Mixtecs.
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