Mating structure and genetic traits in social groups of the Wroclaw population

A random sample of 3460 Wroclaw - Stare Miasto (Old Town) inhabitants (i.e. 8% of the population) has shown statistically significant differences (soc ial gradients) among individuals of: 1 - peasant-, 2 blue-collar-, and 3 - white-collar background, with regard to environmentally susceptible as well as generically strongly determined and monogenic traits (stature, tongue-r olling, eve colour, and ABO blood groups). The differences were usually mos t distinct between the first and the third social group. One probable reaso n for these differences is, among others, the high degree of homogamy persi sting through several generations. Therefore, it is justified to recognize the analysed social groups as marital circles, within which significantly m ore frequent, and between which significantly less frequent marriages are c ontracted, i.e. genetic information is exchanged. The deviation from random mating (pan mixis) towards assortative mating is evidenced by significant differences between empirical and expected frequencies of homogamous and he terogamous marriages. It is concluded that over expected frequencies of hom ogamous and heterogamous marriages. It is concluded that over numerous gene rations the variable differences might have resulted in differences of gene distributions.