Historical records and genetic analyses indicate that Latin Americans trace their ancestry mainly to the intermixing (admixture) of Native Americans, Europeans and Sub-Saharan Africans. Using novel ...haplotype-based methods, here we infer sub-continental ancestry in over 6,500 Latin Americans and evaluate the impact of regional ancestry variation on physical appearance. We find that Native American ancestry components in Latin Americans correspond geographically to the present-day genetic structure of Native groups, and that sources of non-Native ancestry, and admixture timings, match documented migratory flows. We also detect South/East Mediterranean ancestry across Latin America, probably stemming mostly from the clandestine colonial migration of Christian converts of non-European origin (Conversos). Furthermore, we find that ancestry related to highland (Central Andean) versus lowland (Mapuche) Natives is associated with variation in facial features, particularly nose morphology, and detect significant differences in allele frequencies between these groups at loci previously associated with nose morphology in this sample.
Objectives
Early colonial documents from central Mesoamerica detail raising and planting of European livestock and crops alongside native ones. The extent to which Indigenous people, especially of ...the rural commoner class, consumed newly introduced foods is less known. This gap in knowledge is addressed through stable isotope analysis and comparison to published archaeological botanical, human, and faunal data.
Materials and Methods
Stable isotope analysis of bone collagen and bioapatite is applied to 74 skeletal samples of Indigenous human remains representing Colonial period individuals from El Japón—a farming hamlet in the Xochimilco area—to provide insight into long‐term individual dietary practices in the context of a rapidly transforming Mesoamerican world.
Results
Carbon isotope ratios in collagen (δ13Ccollagen) average −8.10/00 VPDB (SD 0.55), while δ15N averages 8.90/00 AIR (SD 0.50). δ13Cbioapatite averages −2.90/00 VPDB (SD 0.60). Modest increase in carbon isotopic diversity is observed among more recent males from El Japón when compared to earlier males and females.
Discussion
Based on the isotopic results, it is estimated that the individuals of El Japón consumed maize or other C4 plants as a central source of carbohydrates. Dietary protein was largely supplied through domestic maize‐fed fauna but potentially supplemented by wild terrestrial and aquatic fauna and fowl. Similarity in skeletal isotopic composition between precontact Mesoamericans from other sites and El Japón individuals of both earlier and later stratigraphy is interpreted as continuity in local diets and foodways despite potentially available European alternatives. Colonial taxation demands on preexisting agricultural regimes may have incentivized maize production, thus indirectly contributing to the maize‐centered aspect of local foodways.
Reseña
Objetivos
Los textos de la época colonial temprana del centro de México documentan la producción de cultivos y ganado europeo a la par de los productos agropecuarios nativos. La magnitud a la cuál las comunidades indígenas consumieron estos productos se conoce con menos certeza en especial dentro de los asentamientos rurales. En este trabajo, se analiza la variabilidad de datos de isótopos estables en el sitio El Japón, Xochimilco y los resultados se comparan con respecto al sexo biológico y la cronología; así como también con datos publicados de muestras humanas y faunísticas.
Materiales y métodos
Se aplican los estudios de isotopos estables en colágeno y bioapatita a 74 muestras esqueléticas de El Japón de la época colonial temprana, una aldea agrícola del área de Xochimilco, con tal de abordar las practicas dietéticas en el contexto de un mundo Mesoamericano en transformación tras el contacto europeo.
Resultados
Los isótopos estables de carbono en colágeno (δ13Ccollagen) producen un promedio de −8.10/00 VPDB (DE 0.55), mientras tanto los isótopos estables de nitrógeno en el mismo tejido producen un promedio de 8.90/00 AIR (DE 0.50). Los isótopos estables de carbono en la bioapatita (δ13Cbioapatite) producen un promedio de −2.90/00 VPDB (DE 0.60). Se observa un incremento mínimo en la diversidad isotópica entre los individuos de sexo masculino en comparación a los individuos de sexo femenino de la etapa temprana y tardía del sitio.
Discusión
Con base en los resultados isotópicos, y con base en comparación a muestras humanas de contextos arqueológicos europeos y norteamericanos se estima que los individuos de El Japón consumieron maíz u otros cultivos tipo C4 como fuentes principales de carbohidratos. Las fuentes de proteína dietética posiblemente fueron fauna alimentada con maíz, pero también se pudieron haber suplementado con alimentos silvestres incluyendo aves silvestres, y fauna terrestre o acuática. La similitud en variación isotópica entre sitios mesoamericanos que preceden el contacto europeo y El Japón de ambas etapas (temprana y tardía) se interpretan como persistencia en fuentes de alimentación y tradiciones culinarias a pesar de las posibles alternativas europeas. Las demandas tributarias coloniales sobre la producción agrícola chinampera pudiesen haber contribuido indirectamente a la continuidad del maíz como fuente alimenticia principal.
Location of the Colonial period site of El Japón (San Gregorio Atlapulco, Mexico City).
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Tattoos serve as a valuable tool for identification. In the forensic context, it is vital to establish a systematic approach for documenting tattoo-related information to facilitate efficient and ...fast comparisons, especially in postmortem cases. Despite some countries failing to recognize the potential significance of tattoos, this study presents a methodological framework for gathering comprehensive data on this form of body modification. This article presents the results of an investigation made in Mexico during 2019–2022. The proposed methodology introduces a systematic and distinct classification system tailored to the country in which it will be implemented. The proposal is accompanied by applying the methodology in a Forensic Medical Service (SEMEFO) in Mexico for a week to test its effectiveness and speed under high workloads and stressful conditions. The novelty of this article lies in emphasizing the need for established, replicable, and homologous methodologies for tattoo codification. Additionally, it presents a more in-depth codification, where the details of the tattoos to be classified are thoroughly analyzed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The current genetic makeup of Latin America has been shaped by a history of extensive admixture between Africans, Europeans and Native Americans, a process taking place within the context of ...extensive geographic and social stratification. We estimated individual ancestry proportions in a sample of 7,342 subjects ascertained in five countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, México and Perú). These individuals were also characterized for a range of physical appearance traits and for self-perception of ancestry. The geographic distribution of admixture proportions in this sample reveals extensive population structure, illustrating the continuing impact of demographic history on the genetic diversity of Latin America. Significant ancestry effects were detected for most phenotypes studied. However, ancestry generally explains only a modest proportion of total phenotypic variation. Genetically estimated and self-perceived ancestry correlate significantly, but certain physical attributes have a strong impact on self-perception and bias self-perception of ancestry relative to genetically estimated ancestry.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
We report a genome-wide association scan in >6,000 Latin Americans for pigmentation of skin and eyes. We found eighteen signals of association at twelve genomic regions. These include one novel locus ...for skin pigmentation (in 10q26) and three novel loci for eye pigmentation (in 1q32, 20q13 and 22q12). We demonstrate the presence of multiple independent signals of association in the 11q14 and 15q13 regions (comprising the GRM5/TYR and HERC2/OCA2 genes, respectively) and several epistatic interactions among independently associated alleles. Strongest association with skin pigmentation at 19p13 was observed for an Y182H missense variant (common only in East Asians and Native Americans) in MFSD12, a gene recently associated with skin pigmentation in Africans. We show that the frequency of the derived allele at Y182H is significantly correlated with lower solar radiation intensity in East Asia and infer that MFSD12 was under selection in East Asians, probably after their split from Europeans.
We report a genome-wide association scan for facial features in ∼6,000 Latin Americans. We evaluated 14 traits on an ordinal scale and found significant association (P values<5 × 10(-8)) at ...single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in four genomic regions for three nose-related traits: columella inclination (4q31), nose bridge breadth (6p21) and nose wing breadth (7p13 and 20p11). In a subsample of ∼3,000 individuals we obtained quantitative traits related to 9 of the ordinal phenotypes and, also, a measure of nasion position. Quantitative analyses confirmed the ordinal-based associations, identified SNPs in 2q12 associated to chin protrusion, and replicated the reported association of nasion position with SNPs in PAX3. Strongest association in 2q12, 4q31, 6p21 and 7p13 was observed for SNPs in the EDAR, DCHS2, RUNX2 and GLI3 genes, respectively. Associated SNPs in 20p11 extend to PAX1. Consistent with the effect of EDAR on chin protrusion, we documented alterations of mandible length in mice with modified Edar funtion.
We report a genome-wide association scan in over 6,000 Latin Americans for features of scalp hair (shape, colour, greying, balding) and facial hair (beard thickness, monobrow, eyebrow thickness). We ...found 18 signals of association reaching genome-wide significance (P values 5 × 10(-8) to 3 × 10(-119)), including 10 novel associations. These include novel loci for scalp hair shape and balding, and the first reported loci for hair greying, monobrow, eyebrow and beard thickness. A newly identified locus influencing hair shape includes a Q30R substitution in the Protease Serine S1 family member 53 (PRSS53). We demonstrate that this enzyme is highly expressed in the hair follicle, especially the inner root sheath, and that the Q30R substitution affects enzyme processing and secretion. The genome regions associated with hair features are enriched for signals of selection, consistent with proposals regarding the evolution of human hair.
Stature estimation is an important step to create a biological profile for human identification of unknown individuals in forensic anthropological practice, and it is well known that the long bone ...length is highly correlated with this feature. The purpose of the present study is to develop formulae for height estimation, based on simple linear regression model for humerus, femur and tibia in Mexican contemporary population.
Stature was taken in 56 males and 30 female corpses as well as maximum length of three long bones of the limbs after autopsy following the Menéndez et al. (2014) criteria, at the Facultad de Medicina (School of Medicine) of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
Based on this data, equations for each sex and for the three long bones were developed, obtaining a highly significant (p < .001) linear regression models with correlation coefficients of r = 0.820 for female femur and r = 0.855 for male tibia. In this manner, the new formulae provide better and reliable results of stature estimation for the contemporary population of Mexico.
•Were proposed three stature estimation equations from long bones for Mexicans.•Correlation coefficients were r = 0.820 for female femur and r = 0.855 for male tibia.•This proposal contributes in human identification cases for Mexican population.•The formulae produce accurate and adequate results for forensic cases.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
El objetivo de este trabajo es dar a conocer un hallazgo de restos humanos del llamado periodo precerámico, ocurrido de forma accidental al sur de la cuenca de México, en el poblado de Tláhuac de la ...Ciudad de México. Son los restos de un esqueleto casi completo, aunque en estado multifragmentado, a excepción del cráneo. El análisis osteológico indica que se trata de un individuo adulto joven de sexo femenino, al que hemos denominado la Mujer de Tláhuac. Su edad radiocarbónica se estimó en 8330 + 40 años BP (95.4%, 9465 - 9260 cal BP); fechamiento que corresponde al de algunos restos considerados “paleoamericanos”. Exploramos la variación del patrón morfológico craneofacial de la mujer Tláhuac aplicando análisis de componentes principales (PCA) comparativamente con otros especímenes de México, Brasil y Estados Unidos que datan del Pleistoceno tardío al Holoceno medio. Sin embargo, a pesar de su cronología, este ejemplar difiere del grado morfológico predominante a fines del Pleistoceno y se asemeja más a la población nativa americana moderna.
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