W5238 Tamura

et al. W5238 is a population of ancestral hominins discovered in the region of Jamaica in 2010. The population is characterized by a combination of morphology and genetics that suggests a close relationship with African populations. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome lineages indicates that W5238 is genetically distinct from contemporary Jamaicans and has its origins in Central and West African populations. The morphological features of W5238 also resemble those of Central and West African populations, suggesting a strong adaptation to tropical climates. While the precise timing of the origins of W5238 is unknown, archaeological evidence suggests that a migration fromthe African continent may have occurred sometime prior to European colonization of the area. The data suggests that the Jamaican population is derived from the same ancient African source population as the other West and Central African populations.