Short tandem repeat (STR) variation in eight village populations of the island of Korcula (Croatia)

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.