Variation at 4 short tandem repeat loci in 8 population groups of India

We have determined the nature and extent of variation at 4 STR loci (CSF1P0 , TPOX, TH01, VWA) in 8 caste and tribal population groups of eastern and n orthern India, Large differences in allele frequencies among the groups wer e found. Average heterozygosities in all populations were high (approximate to 80%). The overall extent of gene differentiation among the 8 groups was high (G(ST) = 0.04). The nature of genomic affinities based on these 4 STR loci does not completely agree with our earlier finding based on classical genetic markers that geographic proximity of habitat has a greater influen ce on genetic similarity between populations than sociocultural proximity d oes.