Interdisciplinary approach to the demography of Jamaica

DEASON, M., Salas, A., Newman, S.P. , Macaulay, V.A. , Morrison, E.Y. and Pitsiladis, Y.P. (2012) Interdisciplinary approach to the demography of Jamaica. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 12(24), (doi: 10.1186/1471-2148-12-24)

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Abstract

<p>Background: The trans-Atlantic slave trade dramatically changed the demographic makeup of the New World, with varying regions of the African coast exploited differently over roughly a 400 year period. When compared to the discrete mitochondrial haplotype distribution of historically appropriate source populations, the unique distribution within a specific source population can prove insightful in estimating the contribution of each population. Here, we analyzed the first hypervariable region of mitochondrial DNA in a sample from the Caribbean island of Jamaica and compared it to aggregated populations in Africa divided according to historiographically defined segments of the continent's coastline. The results from these admixture procedures were then compared to the wealth of historic knowledge surrounding the disembarkation of Africans on the island.</p> <p>Results: In line with previous findings, the matriline of Jamaica is almost entirely of West African descent. Results from the admixture analyses suggest modern Jamaicans share a closer affinity with groups from the Gold Coast and Bight of Benin despite high mortality, low fecundity, and waning regional importation. The slaves from the Bight of Biafra and West-central Africa were imported in great numbers; however, the results suggest a deficit in expected maternal contribution from those regions.</p> <p>Conclusions: When considering the demographic pressures imposed by chattel slavery on Jamaica during the slave era, the results seem incongruous. Ethnolinguistic and ethnographic evidence, however, may explain the apparent non-random levels of genetic perseverance. The application of genetics may prove useful in answering difficult demographic questions left by historically voiceless groups.</p>

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Newman, Professor Simon and DEASON, MICHAEL and Pitsiladis, Dr Yannis and Macaulay, Dr Vincent
Authors: DEASON, M., Salas, A., Newman, S.P., Macaulay, V.A., Morrison, E.Y., and Pitsiladis, Y.P.
Subjects:F History United States, Canada, Latin America > F1201 Latin America (General)
Q Science > Q Science (General)
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
Journal Name:BMC Evolutionary Biology
Publisher:BioMed Central
ISSN:1471-2148
Published Online:23 February 2012
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2012 The Authors
First Published:First published in BMC Evolutionary Biology 12(24)
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence

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