GENETICS, GEOGRAPHY, AND CULTURE - THE POPULATION OF S-PIETRO-ISLAND (SARDINIA, ITALY)

An interesting aspect of the island of Sardinia (Italy) is the wide ra nge of genetic variability within the island itself. The variability i s widened by the presence of some populations of different ethnic orig in who speak a language other than Sardinian. This work deals with the study of the genetic structure of the Carloforte population which inh abits the tiny island of S. Pietro 4 km off the southwest coast of Sar dinia. S. Pietro was first populated in 1738 by emigrants coming from the island of Tabarka (Tunisia) who spoke an archaic form of the Ligur ian dialect. Data on genetic polymorphisms in the Carloforte populatio n are presented and discussed in relation to some Sardinian and Italia n populations.Data on demographic and matrimonial structure are also p resented. The genetic analyses show the Carloforte population as being clearly separated from both Sardinians and continental Italians. The isolation of Carloforte, highlighted by language diversity, endogamy, and consanguinity levels and marriage area, supports the idea of genet ic diversity linked to cultural peculiarity. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.