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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2013  |  Volume : 19  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 315-319
 

Index of opportunity for natural selection among the Gowdas of Kodagahalli village, Karnataka, India


Department of Anthropology, Saint Claret College, Ziro, Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Date of Web Publication30-Oct-2013

Correspondence Address:
Bhaboklang Sohkhlet
Department of Anthropology, Saint Claret College, Ziro - 791 120, Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0971-6866.120821

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   Abstract 

Background: In order to understand how selection is operating in the Gowda population, the index of opportunity for selection was calculated and the present findings were compared with some related findings from other South Indian (SI) populations.
Materials and Methods: Crow (1958) and the modified method by Johnston and Kensinger (1971) were used for the present purpose.
Results and Discussion: The index of total selection intensity (I) was found to be moderate taking into consideration the range for many Indian populations. Considering certain differences in fertility and mortality heritable, it appears that natural selection play an important role in shaping the genetic constitution of the Gowda population. Analysis of data indicates that the index due to fertility seems to contribute more towards selection than mortality. This trend might be because of better living condition and health-care system among the Gowdas which have a positive impact on the lower contribution of mortality for the evolution mechanism of the Gowda population through natural selection.


Keywords: Fertility, mortality, selection intensity


How to cite this article:
Sohkhlet B. Index of opportunity for natural selection among the Gowdas of Kodagahalli village, Karnataka, India. Indian J Hum Genet 2013;19:315-9

How to cite this URL:
Sohkhlet B. Index of opportunity for natural selection among the Gowdas of Kodagahalli village, Karnataka, India. Indian J Hum Genet [serial online] 2013 [cited 2016 May 24];19:315-9. Available from: http://www.ijhg.com/text.asp?2013/19/3/315/120821



   Introduction Top


It is well-known that demographic variables such as fertility and mortality are the fundamental events of natural selection, which is one of the major evolutionary forces that bring about changes in the genetic make-up of a population over generations. These variables operates singly or jointly to determine the fitness (Darwinian fitness, a demographic property, is a function of fertility and mortality variables of the individuals in a population) of a particular population in a given environment. [1] The intensity of natural selection, which is analytically described by the sensitivity of Darwinian fitness, changes due to age-specific fertility and mortality variables. [2] Many studies revealed that fertility and mortality components are directly responsible for the rate and direction of human evolution. [3],[4],[5] Crow (1958), [6] has shown that the effectiveness of natural selection in a population may be inferred from measures of differential fertility and mortality. He proposed an index known as the index of total selection intensity (now the index of opportunity for selection), taking into account the differential fertility and mortality. This index measures the proportion by which fitness would increase with specific birth and death rates if they all selective and heritable of fitness were complete. Later, Johnston and Kensinger (1971), [7] devised a modified form of this, which took into account of embryonic mortality, but did not analyze post-natal mortality separately.

The purpose of the present study is to estimate the index of selection intensity (opportunity for selection) in the Gowda caste population according to Crow's formula (1958) [6] and the modified method suggested by Johnston and Kensinger (1971) [7] and also to compare the present findings with some related findings from other South Indian (SI) populations.


   Materials and Methods Top


This paper is based on a field survey conducted among the Gowdas, one of the major caste populations at Kodagahalli village in Mysore District, Karnataka from the 5 th to 25 th January 2008. A total number 263 married women were randomly covered under the study. The entire demographic data were collected through in-depth interview using structured schedule following as far as possible the parameters suggested by the World Health Organization (1964 and 1968) [8],[9] and Mahadevan (1986), [10] which includes data on individual records, fertility, mortality and marriage pattern. Data on fertility and mortality were collected through the in-depth interview with each married woman using structured schedules. The fertility and mortality schedule was completed by filling information on the number of conceptions, number of live births, birth order, age, sex and marital status of each offspring, number of dead children, age at death, causes of death, if any, reproductive wastage (abortions and still births).

Data analysis

Four important measures on fertility were taken into consideration. These includes child woman ratio, mean number of live-births and surviving children to all married women of all ages, completed family size and total fertility rate. For analyzing the data on mortality, three parameters were taken into consideration which includes infant mortality (death before 1 year of life); juvenile (or premature) mortality (death before 15 year of age) and reproductive wastage (abortions and still-births).

There are several methods available for estimating fertility and mortality. [11],[12],[13],[14],[15] In the present study, however, the index of total selection intensity was calculated according to Crow's formula (1958) [6] and the modified method suggested by Johnston and Kensinger (1971). [7] The later took into account of embryonic mortality, but did not analyze post-natal mortality separately. Furthermore, only those mothers who have reached 40 years and above were taken into consideration since fertility declines drastically when a mother reaches 40 years of age. [16],[17],[18] The parameters used in calculating selection intensity are given in [Table 1].
Table 1: Parameters used in calculating selection intensity

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The index of selection was separated into two components known as the index due to fertility and index due to mortality. Then the opportunity for selection according to Crow (1958), [6] as well as the modified method suggested by Johnston and Kensinger (1971), [7] was calculated as follows:

Crow's index:

I = Im + (If /Ps )

Im = Pd /Ps

If = Vf /(X−) 2

Ps = 1 − Pd

where I is the index of total selection intensity; Im is the index of selection due to mortality; If is the index of selection due to fertility; Ps is the proportion of survivors; Pd is the proportion of pre-matured deaths (i.e., deaths before 15 years of age); Vf is the variance in the number of life-births due to fertility; X− is the mean number of life-births per woman of completed fertility (i.e., ≥40).

Johnston and Kensinger's index:

I = Ime + Imc /Pb + If /Pb × Ps

Ime = Ped /Pb

Imc = Pd /Ps

Pb = 1 − Ped

If = Vf /(X−) 2

Ps = 1 − P d

where I is the index of total selection intensity; Ime is the index of selection due to embryonic mortality (pre-natal mortality); Imc is the index of selection due to child mortality; Pb is the proportion of survivors to birth; Ps is the proportion of survivors birth to reproductive age; Ped is the proportion of embryonic deaths; Pd is the proportion of pre-matured deaths (i.e., deaths before 15 years of age); If is the index of selection due to fertility; Vf is the variance in the number of life-births due to fertility; X− is the mean number of life-births per woman of completed fertility (i.e., ≥40).


   Results and Discussion Top


Data on fertility and mortality of the present population are given in [Table 2]. These data are presented mainly because both fertility and mortality variables are important in determining the selection intensity of the present population. [Table 1] shows that there were 91 mothers aged 40 years and above. The mean number of live births to such mothers was found to be 3.0439 with the corresponding variance of 2.465. The proportion of child mortality before reproductive age and the proportion of embryonic deaths was 0.1444 and 0.1516 respectively. In order to understand how selection is operating in this population, the index of opportunity for selection was calculated by considering that certain differences in fertility and mortality are heritable. It was found that the value of I, If and Im , calculated according to Crow's formula (1958), [6] was 0.4795, 0.2660 and 0.1687, respectively. On the other hand, the index of total selection intensity calculated according to Johnston and Kensinger (1971), [7] viz., Ime , Imc , If and I was 0.2025, 0.1687, 0.2660 and 0.6553 respectively [Table 3]. Therefore, the total selection intensity (I) calculated according to Crow's formula was lower than that calculated according to Johnston and Kensinger. [7] This may be due to the fact that in the case of Crow's formula, we have not taken into consideration the embryonic deaths (still-births and abortions) as done in the case of Johnston and Kensinger's formula. [7] However, considering both the methods, the index due to fertility seems to contribute more toward selection than the index due to mortality. In other words, the Gowda population seems to be evolving more through the mechanism of fertility rather than mortality.
Table 2: Fertility and mortality data following parameters suggested by WHO (1964 and 1968),[8],[9] and Mahadevan (1986),[10]

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Table 3: Indices of selection intensity

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These findings depict a number of possible reasons. Fertility and mortality performance of a population depends largely on various bio-social events. Cavalli-Sforza and Bodmer (1971), [19] reported that among most agrarian and tribal societies, mortality contributes more towards selection rather than fertility. Similarly, studies on Indian populations indicate that deaths prior to pre-reproduction age contribute more to the process of natural selection. These fluctuations may be due to varied reasons like differences in mean live-births, which is inversely proportional to selection intensity. But in the present study, as per Crow's formula the index due to fertility (0.2660) was found to be higher than that of mortality (0.1687). This indicates that the better living condition and health care system might be responsible for lower contribution of mortality. Rajanikumari et al. (1985) [20] reported that in the majority of Andhra caste populations, fertility contribute more than mortality towards selection. In this population too, the same trend happen in which the lower contribution of mortality to fertility was due to better living condition and health care system. It is important to be noted that the Gowdas of Kodagahalli comprises the majority of the population in the village. The village is not very far from Bannur town (approximately 15 km) as well as from the district headquarter Mysore city (35 km), where good facilities to medical as well as to education are available. Regular vehicle services as well as good transport conditions make people more accessible to these places.

Further, in the present study, only those mothers who have reached 40 years and above were taken into consideration since fertility declines drastically when a mother reaches 40 years of age, [16],[17],[18] in which the same trend has been observed here. It is important to note that Reddy and Chopra (1990), [21] have compiled the results on the indices of selection calculated according to Crow's formula (1958), [6] on 96 Indian populations and reported that the mean value of the total index of selection in these populations was 0.665 with a standard deviation of 0.316. According to Khongsdier (2000), [22] if the value of Crow's index of total selection intensity falls <0.340; 0.340-0.470; 0.470-0.600; 0.600-0.730; 0.730-0.860; and >0.860 for Indian populations, then it may be classified as low, moderate, mild, average, high and very high respectively. Therefore, following this classification, it indicates that the opportunity for natural selection to operate in this population is moderate, taking into consideration the range for many Indian populations.

In comparison with some related findings from other SI populations [Table 4], the total index of selection (according to Crow (1958)), [6] of the present population (0.47) was found to be similar to that of the other SI populations, but lower to that of the Chenchu population (1.45). With respect to the index due to fertility, the Gowdas (0.26) seem to have a similar trend with the Brahmin (0.20) though it was slightly lower than that of the other SI populations. Similarly, index due to mortality (0.16) appears to be similar to that of the Brahmin (0.13) though it was lower in comparison to other SI populations.
Table 4: Indices of selection intensity among South Indian populations

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Nevertheless, this result indicates the importance of natural selection in influencing the genetic variation of the present population because if the index of total selection intensity comes to zero, there will be no change in the genetic make-up of a population through selection. [1] No doubt, further research is required to throw more light on what has been pointed here in connection with the contribution of fertility and mortality indices toward evolutionary pattern of this population through natural selection.


   Conclusion Top


From an evolutionary point of view, selection plays a major impact in bringing changes in the genetic make-up within the Gowda population of Kodagahalli village. It appears that selection is operating with moderate intensity and contributes more through differential fertility than mortality. This trend might be because of better living condition and health-care system among the Gowdas, which have a positive impact on the lower contribution of mortality for the evolution mechanism through natural selection. [23]

 
   References Top

1.Livingstone FB, Spuhler JN. Cultural determinants of natural selection. Int Soc Sci J 1965;17:118-20.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.Demetrius L, Matthias Gundlach V, Ziehe M. Darwinian fitness and the intensity of natural selection: Studies in sensitivity analysis. J Theor Biol 2007;249:641-53.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.Basu A. The Pahira: A population genetical study. Am J Phys Anthropol 1969;31:399-416.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.Fisher RA. The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection. New York: Dover Press; 1930.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.Wright S. Size of population and breeding structure of population in relation to evolution. Science 1938;87:430-1.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.Crow JF. Some possibilities for measuring selection intensities in man. Hum Biol 1958;30:1-13.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.Johnston FE, Kensinger KM. Fertility and mortality differentials and their implications for microevolutionary change among the Cashinahua. Hum Biol 1971;43:356-64.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.WHO. Research in Population Genetics of Primitive Groups. WHO Technical Report Series No. 279. Geneva: WHO; 1964.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.WHO. Research in Human Population Genetics. WHO Technical Report Series No. 387. Geneva: WHO; 1968.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.Mahadevan K, editor. Fertility and Mortality: Theory, Methodology and Empirical Issues. New Delhi: Sage Publications; 1986.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.Brass W, Coale AJ. Methods of analysis and estimation. In: Brass W, Coale AJ, Demeny P, Heisel, DF, Lorimer F, Romaniuk A, et al., editors. The Demography of Tropical Africa. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press; 1968. p. 88-139.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12.Brass W. Methods for Estimating Fertility and Mortality from Limited and Defective Data. Chapel Hill, NC: Laboratory for Population Statistics, Occasional Publication, Carolina Publication Centre; 1975.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13.Carrier N, Hobcraft J. Demographic Estimation for Developing Societies. London, UK: Population Investigation Committee; 1971.  Back to cited text no. 13
    
14.United Nations Manual IV. Methods of Estimating Basic Demographic Measures from Incomplete Data. Population Studies, No. 42. New York, NY: Department of Economics and Social Affairs; 1967.  Back to cited text no. 14
    
15.Wood JW, Holman DJ, Weiss KM, Buchanan AV, Lefor B. Hazards models for human population biology. Yearb Phys Anthropol 1992;35:43-87.  Back to cited text no. 15
    
16.Das NK, Ghosh AK. Two Muslim sects of 24 Parganas, West Bengal: A study in selection intensity. Hum Sci 1988;37:237-42.  Back to cited text no. 16
    
17.Mukerjee DP. Some recent trends in population genetics in India. ICMR Technical Report Series. 1972;20:234.  Back to cited text no. 17
    
18.Talukdar S. Selection intensity in two Bagdi groups of 24 Parganas, West Bengal. J Indian Anthropol Soc 1971;6:131-3.  Back to cited text no. 18
    
19.Cavalli-Sforza LL, Bodmer WF. The Genetics of Human Populations. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman; 1971.  Back to cited text no. 19
    
20.Rajanikumari J, Srikumari CR, Rao TV. Variability of selection opportunities with changing socio-cultural environments. Hum Hered 1985;35:218-22.  Back to cited text no. 20
    
21.Reddy BM, Chopra VP. Opportunity for natural selection among the Indian populations. Am J Phys Anthropol 1990;83:281-96.  Back to cited text no. 21
    
22.Khongsdier R. Population genetics in Northeast India: An overview. In: Khongsdier R, editor. Contemporary Research in Anthropology. New Delhi: Commonwealth Publishers; 2000.  Back to cited text no. 22
    
23.Sirajuddin SM. Reproduction and consanguinity among Chenchus of Andhra Pradesh. Man India 1984;64:181-92.  Back to cited text no. 23
    



 
 
    Tables

  [Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4]



 

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