Genetic structure of southwestern Corsica (France).

The distribution of nine red cell enzymes (ACP, ADA, AK, DIA, ESD, GLO1, PGM1, PGD, and SOD) and seven plasma proteins (C3, GC, HP, ORM, PI, PLG, and TF) was analyzed in a sample of 274 unrelated individuals from the southwestern area of Corsica (France), specifically from Ajaccio and nearby villages. The aim of the research was to study the genetic structure of Corsica and to add further to our knowledge about microgeographic variability of polymorphisms in Corsica. The analysis, carried out by genetic distances and R-matrix through 39 alleles of 13 genetic markers, reveals a certain degree of differentiation within Corsica. The results show a genetic heterogeneity between Corsica and other European and Mediterranean populations, although the genetic differences appear to be smaller between Corsicans and Sardinians than among Corsicans and other compiled populations. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 10:567-577, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Finger dermatoglyphics in the Corsican population (France).

Finger pattern types, pattern intensity indices and finger ridge counts in 110 individuals (54 males and 56 females) from Corte in the central area of Corsica (France) were investigated. The comparison of the Corsican qualitative and quantitative digital dermatoglyphics with those from other samples of Mediterranean and European countries show a clearcut difference between Corsicans and Continental Italian populations and a great affinity between Corsicans and Sardinians. These results are regarded as compatible with the interpretation of archaeological, historical and genetic evidence.

New data on the genetic structure of the population of Sicily: analysis of the Alia population (Palermo, Italy).

The distribution of 13 genetic markers (AB0, Rh, ACP, ADA, AK, ESD, GLO, PGD, PGMl, SOD, GC, TF, and PI) were studied in a sample from the Alia population of Sicily, Italy. A total of 34 alleles were detected. In comparison with other Sicilian populations, Alia always appeared genetically distinctive, either in terms of overall genetic diversity or for the number of unique alleles present. The results are consistent with previous studies that show no genetic uniformity within the island. More specifically, the data support the genetic divergence of the eastern and western halves of the island and highlight genetic boundaries that run through Sicily and divide it into three distinct areas.

The polymorphism of the APOB 3' VNTR in the populations of the three largest islands of the western Mediterranean.

To enlarge the knowledge of genetic characteristics of the populations of the three largest islands of the Western Mediterranean--Corsica (France), Sardinia and Sicily (Italy)--the allele distribution of the VNTR APOB 3' locus was studied. A total of 250 individuals was examined. Twelve different alleles were found, with a minimum of 7 alleles in Sicily and a maximum of 9 alleles in the Sardinians from Campidano of Cagliari and Nuorese. The most frequent allele in all the samples is allele 37, followed by allele 35. The allele frequency distribution appears to be bimodal and the expected heterozygosity is not much higher in comparison with other populations. The polymorphic Information Content (PIC) has a value of 0.84. The Fisher exact test, the matrix of the distances and the dendrogram drawn up from it show a certain heterogeneity between the populations of the three islands, a great variability within Sardinia and a certain degree of affinity between Corsica and the north of Sardinia.