G.T. Nurse

The red-cell glutamic-pyruvate transaminase, carbonic anhydrase I and II and esterase D polymorphisms in the Ambo populations of South West Africa, with evidence for the existence of an EsD 0 allele

SummaryThis study presents the results of the investigation of the seven closely interrelated Ambo peoples of South West Africa, for variation in four recently described red cell enzyme polymorphisms. Variation was found in only three of these, but was sufficient to provide strong evidence that the Ambo divided into two main ancestral groups prior to their subsequent fissions. There is evidence, not yet absolutely conclusive, that a null alle for esterase D occurs at lest among the Kwambi.

Sero-genetic studies on the Dama of South West Africa

The Dama of South West Africa are a Negroid people living as a reproductive isolate in the desert and semi-desert areas of the north-west of the country. Until recent times a large proportion of them were held in bondage by the Khoikhoi (Hottentot) Nama, while the rest lived as hunter-gatherers in the mountains. This study and the work of Knussmann and Knussmann indicate that they are a Negro people, which probably has been cut off over a period from contact with other Negroes. They have received very little genetic contribution from the Khoikhoi or the San (Bushmen). The results of this investigation of 24 blood genetic marker systems in a carefully selected random sample of Dama support these conclusions.

Public Health and Genetic Constitution of the San (“Bushmen”): Carbohydrate Metabolism and Acetylator Status of the! Kung of Tsumkwe in the North-western Kalahari

Intolerance to lactose owing to deficiency of lactase is particularly prevalent among non-Caucasian peoples. Special caution is therefore needed in offering them milk supplements. Lactose tolerance has been investigated among the!Kung in the north-western Kalahari. The opportunity was taken also to examine their acetylator status, as this affects their ability to detoxicate drugs given for the treatment of tuberculosis and other diseases. The preliminary studies reported here suggest that not more than 10% of the!Kung are tolerant to lactose, but only one person out of 30 was a slow acetylator.

The red cell 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase polymorphism in certain Southern African populations; with the first report of a new phenotype

1 Studies have been carried out on the 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase polymorphism in over 3400 Southern Africans representing 34 distinct populations. The two commonest variant alleles, PGDCand PGDR, attain their highest known frequencies in the subcontinent. 2 It has been shown that while the very high frequency of PGDCfound by previous workers in the Xhosa does not extend to the other South African Negro populations, the Dama of South West Africa have a frequency of PGDRhigh enough to be polymorphic. It is suggested that certain other populations possessing the PGDRallele may have obtained it from the Dama via the slave trade from Angola. 3 A new electrophoretic variant of GPGD, has been found in a member of the Kuanyama division of the Ambo peoples of South West Africa and has been named 6PGD Oshakati and the allele determining its synthesis PGDS.

Sero-Genetic Studies on the San of South West Africa

The San, a physically, culturally and linguistically distinctive people, have been shown by archaeological records anciently to have inhabited the whole of Eastern and Southern Africa. They, in common with the Khoi, the other members of the Khoisan race, are confined now to Southern Africa and principally to Botswana and South West Africa, though a number are also found in Angola. Sero-genetic data concerning seven South West African groups are presented in this study, and confirm a shared overall genetic profile characteristic of the San in general, slightly different from that of the Khoi and in significant contrast with that of the Negroes.

Serogenetic and haematological studies on the Kgalagadi of Botswana

A sample of Kgalagadi, Negro speakers of a Sotho/Tswana Bantu language, inhabitants of Botswana, have been investigated for variation in 27 gene-marker systems and for haematological status and the presence of intestinal parasites. They have been found to show indications of genetic affinity both to the other Sotho/Tswana and to the Mbanderu divisions of the Herero, a Bantu-speaking Negro people of Namibia. The latter affinity appears the closer. Although the historical connection between the peoples seems unlikely on cultural and oral-historical grounds, it is not impossible, given the shallow depth of the oral history of the Herero and the consequent doubts about the antiquity of their present cultural system. Nothing in the genetic profile of the Kgalagadi contradicts the claim that they represent a very early, and perhaps the first, wave of Negro immigration into southern Africa. They have been investigated for intestinal parasites and haematological status as well. They appear to be haematologically healthy, and to possess only the narrow range of parasites previously found in the Kalahari Desert, apart from one subject in whom Hymenolepis nana (Dwarf tapeworm) was found.

Sero-Genetic Studies on the Caucasoids of South West Africa/Namibia

Gene marker studies on the Afrikaans and German populations of South West Africa/Namibia reveal that both very closely resemble their parent European stocks but that the Germans show appreciable evidence of having received a genetic contribution from non-Caucasoid, probably Khoi or Negro, sources.

Serogenetic studies on the Daga of the interior of the mainland of Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.

The Daga people of Milne Bay, the easternmost Province of Papua New Guinea, occupy an upland area but do extend to the coast. Linguistically they are Papuan and, unlike their Austronesian-speaking neighbours, they appear originally to have been an exclusively inland people. They have been in contact with missionaries and miners since the turn of the century, and genetic evidence of Caucasoid gene flow may be present in the finding of several lactose absorbers (reported elsewhere). They are the first non-Australian population in whom the second carbonic locus allele CA4II has been detected, which may indicate either recent gene flow from Australian aborigine or lend additional support to the suggestion that there was Australian contact with Papua before the coming of the Europeans. For the rest, their gene-marker profile is fairly typical of a non-highland population of New Guinea, though the low frequency of hereditary ovalocytosis tends to confirm their inland origins.

Highland and Lowland Populations of Lesotho

It has not been possible to demonstrate significant sero-genetic differences between lowland and highland Sotho populations; the differences which do exist may well be attributable to random genetic drift. The study shows that the Sotho have received an appreciable genetic contribution from the San they have absorbed but their sero-genetic profile remains eminently Negro. A low frequency of the PTC non-taster allele was found (t = 0.142 +/- 0.029) as was the overall frequency for colour blindness (cb = 0.013 +/- 0.009).