| This study is a meta-analysis of data collected from the published mitochondrial DNA sequences of many geographically diverse human populations. The mtDNA and population data were gathered and entered into a spreadsheet program and a geographic information system database along with published sequences for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), Homo sapiens neanderthalensis, and the standard human Cambridge Reference Sequence. The sampled populations were grouped into 14 geographic regions and the mtDNA sequences analyzed with PAUP* and PHYLIP computer programs for phylogenetic analysis. Cladistic trees were generated for each region and a consensus tree constructed for the world. Using ESRI's ArcView geographic information system program and extensions, a project was created utilizing the mtDNA sequence data and demonstrating some possible uses for GIS in mitochondrial DNA mapping, analysis, and visualization. |
