A new scientific study into mitochondrial DNA has revealed that Melanesians are among the most genetically diverse people on the planet.
The study, "Melanesian mtDNA complexity," was led by Jonathan Friedlaender, a professor of anthropology at Temple University in Philadelphia.
The study examined mitochondrial DNA from 32 diverse populations on four Melanesian islands.
A person's Mitochondrial DNA is only inherited from their mother, which allows for the construction of an extensive family tree on the maternal side.
Professor Friedlander says Melanesians have significant differences in their mitochondrial DNA that can be linked to where they live, the size of their home island and the language they speak:
"So we have a very intensive study of the variation you see within island groups and then between island groups. And what we found is that it's really quite extraordinary the variation you find on these islands - very unlike what you find in other parts of the world."
The study is being published in the new online journal of the US Public Library of Science.
