Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 April 2009
Incidence of colourblindness among 3325 males belonging to 21 endogamous Dhangar castes (shepherds) of Maharashtra, India, has been reported. Of the 21 castes studied 5 lacked the gene for colourblindness, while in other groups it varied from 1% to 55%, with a series average of 2·65%. The low incidence of observed colourblindness has been discussed in the light of the nomadic way of the life of some of the Dhangar castes. The results have been compared with other nomadic populations of Maharashtra. The results, in general, are compatible with the Post and Pickford's hypothesis of differential selection for colourblindness.