Sequence variation of the CD209/CD209L region was determined in 41 sub-Saharan Africans, 43 Europeans, and 43 East Asians, in a total of 254 chromosomes from the Human Genome Diversity Panel (HGDP)–CEPH panel (Cann et al. 2002). More-detailed information about the composition of the three major ethnic groups can be found in table 1 . The variation in the repeat number of the neck region of CD209 and CD209L was defined in the entire HGDP-CEPH panel, comprising 1,064 DNA samples from 52 worldwide populations. In addition, the orthologous regions for both genes were sequenced in four chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).
Table 1 Individual Composition of the Study Populations for CD209 and CD209L Sequence Diversity
Location and Population Geographic Origin No. of Chromosomes
Africa:
 Biaka Pygmies Central African Republic 12
 Mbuti Pygmies Democratic Republic of Congo 10
 Bantu Fanga Gabon 12
 Bantu, northeastern Kenya 10
 Bantu, southeastern Tswana South Africa (Bantu, southeastern) 4
 Bantu, southwestern Herero South Africa (Bantu, southwestern) 4
 Mandenka Senegal 12
 San Namibia 8
 Yoruba Nigeria 10
Europe:
 Adygei Russian Caucasus 4
 French France 16
 French Basque France 12
 Sardinian Italy 12
 Russian Russia 12
 Orcadian Orkney Islands 14
 North Italian Italy (Bergamo) 16
East Asia:
 Japanese Japan 42
 Han China 4
 Tujia China 4
 Yizu China 4
 Miaozu China 4
 Orogen China 4
 Daur China 4
 Mongola China 4
 Hezhen China 4
 Xibo China 4
 Uygur China 4
 Dai China 4
a These individuals are not included in the HGDP-CEPH panel but are part of the authors' collection.