Population Genetics of ABO and Rh Blood Groups in the Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar Region, Libya: A Study of Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium
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ABO Blood Types, Allele Frequencies, Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, Rh Factors, Population Genetics
Abstract
This study presents a population genetic analysis of the ABO and Rh blood group systems in the Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar region of Libya. The population’s genetic structure was investigated by testing the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). Chi-square test compared observed ABO and Rh blood group counts with HWE-expected counts. The entire population’s observed ABO blood-group phenotypes significantly deviated from HWE (p < 0.001). Significant deviations were observed in Al-Bayda, Shahat, Qandula, Maraweh, Al-Haniya, and Al-Qubah, suggesting potential evolutionary influences. In contrast, Omer-Al Mukhtar, Al-Faydia, Al-Bayadah, and Derna did not differ significantly from HWE for ABO, indicating these subpopulations are not experiencing strong evolutionary pressures that alter allele frequencies. Observed Rh phenotypes across the entire population similarly exhibited a significant deviation from HWE (p < 0.001). Omer-Al Mukhtar, Qandula, Maraweh, Al-Haniya, and Al-Faydia showed no significant deviation, whereas Al-Bayda, Shahat, Derna, Al-Bayadah, and Al-Qubah did. These results offer initial insights into the evolutionary and genetic structure of the Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar population.
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References
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