Red cell antigen, serum protein, and red cell enzyme polymorphisms in inhabitants of the Jimi Valley, Western Highlands, New Guinea.

A series of blood samples from four villages in the Jimi Valley, Western New Guinea Highlands, has been tested for genetic variation in blood group, serum protein, and red cell enzyme systems. Polymorphic variation was present for the AB0, MNS, P, and Rh blood group systems, for the Hp and Tf serum protein systems, and for the acid phosphatase, 6-PGD, PGM, MDH, and ADA enzyme systems. One each of the following variants was detected: Ge(a-), G6PD deficient, AK 2-1 and PHI 7-1 or 8-1. All samples tested were Cw-, K-, Kp(a-), Wr(a-), Fy(a+ b-), Rd-, and LDH normal. Genetic distance analysis places the Jimi Valley populations closer to peoples of the Chimbu-Chuave and Wahgi-Hagen areas than to the Maring people of the Simbai Valley to the north.