[Aztlan] THE BERINGIAN POPULATION AND THE FIRST AMERICANS

[D. Mylne]

Certainly genetic patterns changed (narrowed, specialized, etc.) in each population that fell out of contact with other human populations;.  However, it seeems suppositional to claim there were "mutations" unless either this term is defined differently from how I have understood it, or concrete evidence of such mutations is available.
 
Certainly change occurs, but is it so sudden as would warrant calling it a "mutation" rather than simply a "change"?  How does one distinguish a mutation from other types of change when one is dealing with individuals of 20,000 years (or more) in the past.  Especially when that original population is only 1,000 to 5,000 people.  
 
I'll keep my eyes on this intriguing pursuit.  Whichever way it unfolds, I would hope the results will reveal fascinating details about our Founding Migrants. :) 
> To: aztlan at lists.famsi.org> From: michaelruggeri at mac.com> Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:06:12 -0600> Subject: [Aztlan] THE BERINGIAN POPULATION AND THE FIRST AMERICANS> . . .  According > to DNA studies carried out by the University of Florida Genetics > Institute .... Mutations and genetic patterns began > to accumulate in the Beringia population during those 20,000 years > that show up in most New World indigenous populations today. 
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