Genetic distance estimated through surname frequencies of 37 counties from the state of Lara, Venezuela

Abstract

SummaryGenetic distances between all possible pairs of counties (n = 37) in the state of Lara, Venezuela were calculated using surname frequencies and the Euclidean distance as estimator. In general, Euclidean distances were smaller between counties closer together, and the product moment correlation between geographic and Euclidean distances was 0·49 (p < 0.02). The results suggest that, in Lara, geographic distance has been an important determinant of genetic structure, although topography and roadways also have had an important influence upon this structure.