A three-stage colonization model for the peopling of the Americas

Andrew Kitchen; Michael M Miyamoto; Connie J Mulligan

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0001596

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A three-stage colonization model for the peopling of the Americas

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

A three-stage colonization model for the peopling of the Americas

Andrew Kitchen, Michael M Miyamoto and Connie J Mulligan

PloS one, Vol.3(2), pp.e1596-e1596

02/13/2008

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001596

PMCID: PMC2223069

PMID: 18270583

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Abstract

We evaluate the process by which the Americas were originally colonized and propose a three-stage model that integrates current genetic, archaeological, geological, and paleoecological data. Specifically, we analyze mitochondrial and nuclear genetic data by using complementary coalescent models of demographic history and incorporating non-genetic data to enhance the anthropological relevance of the analysis. Bayesian skyline plots, which provide dynamic representations of population size changes over time, indicate that Amerinds went through two stages of growth approximately 40,000 and approximately 15,000 years ago separated by a long period of population stability. Isolation-with-migration coalescent analyses, which utilize data from sister populations to estimate a divergence date and founder population sizes, suggest an Amerind population expansion starting approximately 15,000 years ago. These results support a model for the peopling of the New World in which Amerind ancestors diverged from the Asian gene pool prior to 40,000 years ago and experienced a gradual population expansion as they moved into Beringia. After a long period of little change in population size in greater Beringia, Amerinds rapidly expanded into the Americas approximately 15,000 years ago either through an interior ice-free corridor or along the coast. This rapid colonization of the New World was achieved by a founder group with an effective population size of approximately 1,000-5,400 individuals. Our model presents a detailed scenario for the timing and scale of the initial migration to the Americas, substantially refines the estimate of New World founders, and provides a unified theory for testing with future datasets and analytic methods.

Models, Theoretical

Americas

Founder Effect

History, Ancient

Emigration and Immigration - history

Humans

Population Density

Bayes Theorem

Population Dynamics

Details

Title: Subtitle: A three-stage colonization model for the peopling of the Americas
Creators: Andrew Kitchen - Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
Michael M Miyamoto
Connie J Mulligan
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: PloS one, Vol.3(2), pp.e1596-e1596
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001596
PMID: 18270583
PMCID: PMC2223069
NLM abbreviation: PLoS One
ISSN: 1932-6203
eISSN: 1932-6203
Publisher: United States
Language: English
Date published: 02/13/2008
Academic Unit: Anthropology; International Programs
Record Identifier: 9983984535102771

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