Characterization of complete mitochondrial genomes of indigenous Mayans in Mexico

Abstract

Background: The authors have previously published the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequences of two indigenous Mesoamerican populations, Mazahua (n = 25) and Zapotec (n = 88).

Methods: This study determined the complete mitogenome sequences of nine unrelated individuals from the indigenous Maya population living in Mexico.

Results: Their mitogenome sequences could be classified into either of the haplogroups A2 and C1. Surprisingly, there were no mitogenome sequences (haplotypes) that the Maya, Mazahua, and Zapotec people share in common.

Conclusions: This indicates that no genetic exchange, at least matrilineally, has occurred among them.

Keywords:

• Indigenous Americans
• Mesoamerica
• haplogroup
• mitogenomes

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Keisuke Onishi for supporting the research.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Grants-in-aid for Scientific Research, JSPS [25291104], Qian Jiang Distinguished Professor program.