Browsing by Autor "Ricardo A. Verdugo"

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The genetic prehistory of the Andean highlands 7,000 Years BP though European contact
(2018) John Lindo; Randall Haas; Courtney A. Hofman; Mario Apata; Mauricio Moraga; Ricardo A. Verdugo; James T. Watson; Carlos Viviano Llave; David Witonsky; Enrique Pacheco
Abstract The peopling of the Andean highlands above 2500m in elevation was a complex process that included cultural, biological and genetic adaptations. Here we present a time series of ancient whole genomes from the Andes of Peru, dating back to 7,000 calendar years before present (BP), and compare them to 64 new genome-wide genetic variation datasets from both high and lowland populations. We infer three significant features: a split between low and high elevation populations that occurred between 9200-8200 BP; a population collapse after European contact that is significantly more severe in South American lowlanders than in highland populations; and evidence for positive selection at genetic loci related to starch digestion and plausibly pathogen resistance after European contact. Importantly, we do not find selective sweep signals related to known components of the human hypoxia response, which may suggest more complex modes of genetic adaptation to high altitude. One Sentence Summary Ancient DNA from the Andes reveals a complex picture of human adaptation from early settlement to the colonial period.
The genomic and cultural diversity of the Inka Qhapaq hucha ceremony in Chile and Argentina
(2024) Constanza de la Fuente Castro; Constanza Ambiado Cortés; Maanasa Raghavan; Daniela Castillo; Mario Castro; Ricardo A. Verdugo; Mauricio Moraga
Abstract The South American archaeological record has ample evidence of the socio-cultural dynamism of human populations in the past. This has also been supported through the analysis of ancient genomes, by showing evidence of gene flow across the region. While the extent of these signals is yet to be tested, the growing number of ancient genomes allows for more fine-scaled hypotheses to be evaluated. In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity of individuals associated with the Inka ritual, Qhapaq hucha. As part of this ceremony, one or more individuals were buried with Inka and local-style offerings on mountain summits along the Andes, leaving a very distinctive record. Using paleogenomic tools, we analyzed three individuals: two newly-generated genomes from El Plomo Mountain (Chile) and El Toro Mountain (Argentina), and a previously published genome from Argentina (Aconcagua Mountain). Our results reveal a complex demographic scenario with each of the individuals showing different genetic affinities. Furthermore, while two individuals showed genetic similarities with present-day and ancient populations from the southern region of the Inka empire, the third individual may have undertaken long-distance movement. The genetic diversity we observed between individuals from similar cultural contexts supports the highly diverse strategies the Inka implemented while incorporating new territories. More broadly, this research contributes to our growing understanding of the population dynamics in the Andes by discussing the implications and temporality of population movements in the region.