Discrepancy between Cranial and DNA Data of Early Americans: Implications for American Peopling

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005746
• Publication Date: 2009-05-28T21:59:19Z
• Authors: S. Ivan Perez; Valeria Bernal; Paula N. Gonzalez; Marina Sardi; Gustavo G. Politis
• Keywords: Crania; Haplogroup; Ancient DNA; Beringia; Homo erectus

Currently, one of the major debates about American peopling focuses on number populations that originated biological diversity found in continent during Holocene. The studies craniometric variation human remains dating from period have shown morphological differences between earliest settlers and some later Amerindian populations. This led investigators to suggest these groups—known as Paleomericans Amerindians respectively—may arisen two biologically different On other hand, most DNA performed over extant ancient a single migration population Northeast Asia. Comparing mtDNA data diachronic samples East Central Argentina dated 8,000 400 years BP, we show here even when oldest individuals display traits attributable Paleoamerican crania, they present same haplogroups with morphology. A possible explanation for results could be craniofacial differentiation was local phenomenon resulting random (i.e. genetic drift) non-random factors (e.g. selection plasticity). Local processes America are probable scenario if take into consideration rapid great ecological this continent; nevertheless will discuss alternative explanations well.