Population genetics in the province of Ferrara. I. Genetic distances and geographic distances.

The ABO and Rh systems of the population in 26 residential units in the province of Ferrara were studied to detect the effect of genetic drift on the differentiation of gene frequencies. Results obtained from principal components analysis and dendrograms were similar. A significant correlation between genetic and geographic distance was found. It was therefore hypothesized that in the area of Ferrara children born to parents originating from different communes were heterozygous at more loci than children born to parents originating from the same commune. It was also thought that it may be possible to use geographic distance between birthplaces of parents as an indicator of hybridity in their children.