Aleutian Islands

• Main Author: Crawford, Michael H
• Format: Book Part
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University PressNew York, NY 2024
• Subjects: aleut; Aleutian Island; Unangan; Aleutian Islands; Siberia
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/9780197679432.003.0008; https://academic.oup.com/book/chapter-pdf/58188019/workid-usac0030785-book-part-8.pdf

Abstract This chapter discusses the causes and consequences of the migrations and settlements of Unangan (Aleut) populations expanding out of Siberia along the Beringian landmass to settle an archipelago consisting of 200 islands, distributed over 1,800 kilometers between North America and Asia. Eleven Aleutian Islands were sampled by use of buccal swabs and analyzed for 750,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms distributed throughout the genome. Different admixture rates were revealed depending on which genetic markers were employed. For example, mitochondrial DNA (maternal line) displayed only Aleut haplotypes; that is, they were 100% indigenous. In contrast, NRY markers exhibited only 15% Aleut ancestry among males and 85% Russian admixture. Autosomal short tandem repeats suggest that 60% of Aleut ancestry was indigenous and 40% of the genes came from Russia or other European countries. Genetic discontinuity in the Aleutian Island populations was reflected in changes in climate effecting water turbulence and periods of possible migration.