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The genetic prehistory of the Andean highlands 7000 years BP though European contact.

ABSTRACT: The peopling of the Andean highlands above 2500 m in elevation was a complex process that included cultural, biological, and genetic adaptations. Here, we present a time series of ancient whole genomes from the Andes of Peru, dating back to 7000 calendar years before the present (BP), and compare them to 42 new genome-wide genetic variation datasets from both highland and lowland populations. We infer three significant features: a split between low- and high-elevation populations that occurred between 9200 and 8200 BP; a population collapse after European contact that is significantly more severe in South American lowlanders than in highland populations; and evidence for positive selection at genetic loci related to starch digestion and plausibly pathogen resistance after European contact. We do not find selective sweep signals related to known components of the human hypoxia response, which may suggest more complex modes of genetic adaptation to high altitude.

SUBMITTER: Lindo J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6224175 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The genetic prehistory of the Andean highlands 7000 years BP though European contact.

Lindo John J Haas Randall R Hofman Courtney C Apata Mario M Moraga Mauricio M Verdugo Ricardo A RA Watson James T JT Viviano Llave Carlos C Witonsky David D Beall Cynthia C Warinner Christina C Novembre John J Aldenderfer Mark M Di Rienzo Anna A

Science advances 20181108 11

The peopling of the Andean highlands above 2500 m in elevation was a complex process that included cultural, biological, and genetic adaptations. Here, we present a time series of ancient whole genomes from the Andes of Peru, dating back to 7000 calendar years before the present (BP), and compare them to 42 new genome-wide genetic variation datasets from both highland and lowland populations. We infer three significant features: a split between low- and high-elevation populations that occurred b ...[more]

PMID: 30417096

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Dataset Information

The genetic prehistory of the Andean highlands 7000 years BP though European contact.

Publications

The genetic prehistory of the Andean highlands 7000 years BP though European contact.

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