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Is urbanization scrambling the genetic structure of human populations? A case study

Handley, L. J.Lawson; Ashrafian-Bonab, M.; Lawson Handley, L J; Balloux, F.

Authors

L. J.Lawson Handley

M. Ashrafian-Bonab

L J Lawson Handley

F. Balloux



Contributors

Maziar Ashrafian Bonab
Researcher

Abstract

Recent population expansion and increased migration linked to urbanization are assumed to be eroding the genetic structure of human populations. We investigated change in population structure over three generations by analysing both demographic and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data from a random sample of 2351 men from 22 Iranian populations. Potential changes in genetic diversity (θ) and genetic distance (FST) over the last three generations were analysed by assigning mtDNA sequences to populations based on the individual's place of birth or that of their mother or grandmother. Despite the fact that several areas included cities of over one million inhabitants, we detected no change in genetic diversity, and only a small decrease in population structure, except in the capital city (Tehran), which was characterized by massive immigration, increased θ and a large decrease in FST over time. Our results suggest that recent erosion of human population structure might not be as important as previously thought, except in some large conurbations, and this clearly has important implications for future sampling strategies. © 2007 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved.

Citation

Handley, L. J., Ashrafian-Bonab, M., Lawson Handley, L. J., & Balloux, F. (2007). Is urbanization scrambling the genetic structure of human populations? A case study. Heredity, 98(3), 151-156. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.hdy.6800918

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 20, 2007
Online Publication Date Nov 15, 2006
Publication Date Mar 1, 2007
Deposit Date Aug 13, 2019
Journal Heredity
Print ISSN 0018-067X
Electronic ISSN 1365-2540
Publisher Springer Nature [academic journals on nature.com]
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 98
Issue 3
Pages 151-156
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.hdy.6800918
Keywords Genetics (clinical); Genetics
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/2044610
Publisher URL https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1808191/

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