RELACIONES ENTRE LA GEOGRAFÍA Y LA ESTRUCTURA DE LAS POBLACIONES: VARIABILIDAD GENÉTICA EN UNA REGIÓN DE LA MESETA CENTRAL (ESPAÑA)

Abstract

The central plateau of the Iberian peninsula is crossed from SW to NE by central system, a mountain range, a part of which is the «sierra de Gredos». Only three natural passes join both slopes of the «sierra» and this range may have been a barrier limiting the population interchanges. Information about four valleys related to this range has been obtained to study the possible barrier effect through several blood group systems. A total of 529 samples from blood donors, autoctonous, have been analyzed. Genetic relationships have been established not only among the «sierra de Gredos» series but also from various spanish regions. Comparisons suggest a certain degree of genetic variation among the «sierra de Gredos» valleys, and results are interpreted as a gene flow limitation, a consequence of the effect of the mountain barrier and geographic distances.