Below is a description of the sample size, the genetic markers, and analytical methods used in the study.
Sample Size
A total of 501 volunteers from Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Vincent,Grenada, Trinidad, St. Thomas, Jamaica provided a DNA sample. All DNA samples were collected with written informed consent.
Mitochondrial markers
Mitochondrial DNA D loop was sequenced in both directions. MtDNA haplogroups were identified by comparing the D loop to the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (Anderson et al., 1981) and if necessary, additional restriction site analyses (listed in the small boxes within the picture to the left) were completed.
Y chromosome markers
A total of 12 loci from the non-recombining region of the Y- chromosome were typed. The loci were: DYS 19, DYS 385a/b, DYS389i, DYS389ii, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438, DYS 439 and DYS287.
Autosomal markers
The five autosomal markers listed below were typed in the samples.
Marker Name | Location | Allelle |
AT3 | 1q25.1 | 572bp/ 496bp |
CKM | 19q13.32 | G/A |
FY-Null | 1q23.2 | T/C |
GC*1F/1S | 4q13.3 | G/A |
SCG30055 | 5q23.1 | G/A |
Analytical Methods
Biogeographical ancestry, as used in this here describes one’s genetic ancestry in relation to a geographical region. This term effectively uses genetic data to point to a region of geographic origin.
Biogeographical ancestry was examined by visualizing the relationships between the Caribbean and African groups using a multidimensional scaling (MDS) plot. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) is typically used as an exploratory method where the goal of the analysis is to find a pattern that describes the observed similarities or dissimilarities (distances) between the sample groups. In addition biogeographical ancestry was assessed by comparing Caribbean mtDNA D loop sequences and Y chromosome markers to African sequences within public and private databases.