Im. Klaric et al., Short tandem repeat (STR) variation in eight village populations of the island of Korcula (Croatia), ANN HUM BIO, 28(3), 2001, pp. 281-294
The aim of this study was to analyse short tandem repeat (STR) variation us
ing the data on nine loci (D3S1358, vWA, FGA, THO1, TPOX, CSF1PO, D5S818, D
13S317, D7S820) in the populations from eight villages on the island of Kor
cula, Croatia, in order to analyse its genetic and population structure. Th
e analysis of STR data in this study indicated an appreciable degree of gen
etic homogeneity among the studied village populations on the island, even
though a so-called 'east-west dichotomy' and differentiation between the in
habitants of the most recent settlement and the remaining ones was indicate
d with respect to the loci CSF1PO and TPOX, respectively. The validity of S
TR markers in assessing genetic structure of small populations and especial
ly in determining the relationships among geographically closely related bu
t reproductively isolated groups remains to be further evaluated, especiall
y in terms of a larger number of studied loci in order to possibly rnd spec
ific markers useful for resolving genetic patterns of variability at region
al levels.