When Genetics and Genealogies Tell Different Stories-Maternal Lineages in Gaspesia [Gaspe Peninsula, Canada]

Ann Hum Genet. 2010 Nov 8. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-1809.2010.00617.x.

When Genetics and Genealogies Tell Different Stories-Maternal Lineages in Gaspesia.

Moreau C, Vézina H, Jomphe M, Lavoie EM, Roy-Gagnon MH, Labuda D.

Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, 3175, Côte Sainte-Catherine, Montréal (Québec),
 Canada H3T 1C5 Département des sciences humaines, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi (Québec),
Canada G7H 2B1 Projet BALSAC, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi (Québec), Canada G7H 2B1 Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire en démographie et épidémiologie génétique-GRIG, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi (Québec), Canada G7H 2B1 Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université de Montréal, Pavillon 1420 Mont-Royal, 1430 boul. du Mont-Royal, Outremont (Québec), Canada H2V 4P3 Département de pédiatrie, Université de Montréal, 3175, Côte Sainte-Catherine, Montréal (Québec), Canada H3T 1C5.

Abstract

Data from uniparentally inherited genetic systems were used to trace evolution of human populations. Reconstruction of the past primarily relies on variation in present-day populations, limiting historical inference to lineages that are found among living subjects. Our analysis of four population groups in the Gaspé Peninsula, demonstrates how this may occasionally lead to erroneous interpretations. Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Gaspesians revealed an important admixture with Native Americans. The most likely scenario links this admixture to French-Canadians from the St. Lawrence Valley who moved to Gaspesia in the 19th century. However, in contrast to genetic data, analysis of genealogical record shows that Native American maternal lineages were brought to Gaspesia in the 18th century by Acadians who settled on the south-western coast of the peninsula. Intriguingly, within three generations, virtually all Métis Acadian families separated from their nonadmixed relatives and moved eastward mixing in with other Gaspesian groups, in which Native American maternal lines are present in relatively high frequencies. Over time, the carriers of these lines eventually lost memory of their mixed Amerindian-Acadian origin. Our results show that a reliable reconstruction of population history requires cross-verification of different data sources for consistency, thus favouring multidisciplinary approaches.

No claim to original US government works
Annals of Human Genetics © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd/University College London.

PMID: 21058944 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]