Genetic ancestry of families of putative Inka descent.

This study focuses on the descendants of the royal Inka family. The Inkas ruled Tawantinsuyu, the largest pre-Columbian empire in South America, which extended from southern Colombia to central Chile. The origin of the royal Inkas is currently unknown. While the mummies of the Inka rulers could have been informative, most were destroyed by Spaniards and the few remaining disappeared without a trace. Moreover, no genetic studies have been conducted on present-day descendants of the Inka rulers. In the present study, we analysed uniparental DNA markers in 18 individuals predominantly from the districts of San Sebastian and San Jerónimo in Cusco (Peru), who belong to 12 families of putative patrilineal descent of Inka rulers, according to documented registries. We used single-nucleotide polymorphisms and short tandem repeat (STR) markers of the Y chromosome (Y-STRs), as well as mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences, to investigate the paternal and maternal descent of the 18 alleged Inka descendants. Two Q-M3* Y-STR clusters descending from different male founders were identified. The first cluster, named AWKI-1, was associated with five families (eight individuals). By contrast, the second cluster, named AWKI-2, was represented by a single individual; AWKI-2 was part of the Q-Z19483 sub-lineage that was likely associated with a recent male expansion in the Andes, which probably occurred during the Late Intermediate Period (1000-1450 AD), overlapping the Inka period. Concerning the maternal descent, different mtDNA lineages associated with each family were identified, suggesting a high maternal gene flow among Andean populations, probably due to changes in the last 1000 years.

Comparación de los usos del chuchuhuasi (Maytenus macrocarpa) entre indígenas Bora-Bora de Loreto y chamanes de Lima (Perú) / Comparison uses chuchuhuasi (Maytenus macrocarpa) between Bora-Bora of Loreto and shamans of Lima (Peru)

Objetivo: Comparar los conocimientos y costumbres sobre el uso del chuchuhuasi (Maytenus macrocarpa), entre los pobladores de la etnia amazónica Bora-Bora de Iquitos, Loreto, y los chamanes o curanderos que residen en Lima-Perú. Materiales y Métodos: Este estudio transversal, se realizó mediante participación voluntaria, de un grupo de indígenas Bora-Bora, residentes en Iquitos, y a una muestra de chamanes o curanderos limeños, a quienes se les realizo una entrevista que indagó sobre los conocimientos y costumbres en el uso del chuchuhuasi. Resultados: Curanderos o chamanes de Lima, aunque en un contexto exclusivamente comercial, indicaron usar el chuchuhuasi, para los siguientes fines: curar el asma, dolores articulares, y problemas sexuales; asimismo, con fines místicos, mágicos, y religiosos, para sesiones de curación. Los indígenas de la etnia amazónica Bora-Bora, emplean el chuchuhuasi con fines medicinales, y refieren su uso particular para los dolores fuertes, dolor después del parto, para detener hemorragias post parto, y contra las diarreas. Conclusiones: Existen diferencias, en el uso del chuchuhuasi, entre nativos amazónicos Bora-Bora, y los chamanes o curanderos limeños AU)

Aim: To compare the knowledge and custom about the chuchuhuasi (Maytenus macrocarpa) uses between native ethnic Bora-Bora Amazon populations (Iquitos, Loreto) and the healers living in Lima, Peru. Methods: The study was performed through oral interviews to a number of native Bora-Bora and healers from Lima, who voluntarily agreed to participate. We collected information about knowledge and custom in the use of chuchuhuasi. Results: Although on a purely commercial context, the healers from Lima reported to use chuchuhuasi for the following purposes: to cure asthma, as analgesic, and for sexual problems; and also they used it for mystical, magical, and religious purposes during healing sessions. The Amazonian Bora-Bora indigenous use chuchuhuasi for medicinal purposes, particularly for severe pain, postpartum pain, to stop postpartum bleeding, and as antidiarrheal. Conclusions: There are differences in the use of chuchuhuasi between native Bora-Bora Amazonian population, and healers in Lima, Peru (AU)