Genetic relationships between southeastern Spain and Morocco: New data on ABO, RH, MNSs, and DUFFY polymorphisms

The genetic polymorphism of four blood group systems (ABO, RH, MNSs, and DU FFY) was analyzed in two well-defined population samples coming from south- central Morocco and southeastern Spain. Both a controversial ancient common substrate and the long period of coexistence between North Africa and sout hern Spain during the eight centuries of the Islamic invasion of the Iberia n Peninsula suggest a particular genetic relationship between northwestern Africa and southern Spain. Allele distributions in each sample are in gener al agreement with that expected according to the geographical and historica l characteristics in the Mediterranean region. However, the differences bet ween the Moroccan sample and other north African groups illustrate consider able genetic variability in this geographical region. In comparison with ot her samples from different regions of the Iberian Peninsula, the markers ex amined fail to demonstrate any particular affinity between the southern Spa nish sample of La Alpujarra and Moroccan populations. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.