Evaluating population histories in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, Chile, using ancient mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal DNA.

Objectives: This study aims to characterize the genetic histories of ancient hunter-gatherer groups in Fuego-Patagonia (Chile) with distinct Marine, Terrestrial, and Mixed Economy subsistence strategies. Mitochondrial (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome data were generated to test three hypotheses. H: All individuals were drawn from the same panmictic population; H: Terrestrial groups first populated the region and gave rise to highly specialized Marine groups by ~7,500 cal BP; or H: Marine and Terrestrial groups represent distinct ancestral lineages who migrated independently into the region.