Peptidase B Variants among the Semai, Temuan, Semelai, and Jakun Groups of West Malaysian Orang Asli

912 West Malaysian Orang Asli from four ethnic groups were surveyed for peptidase B (Pep B). Pep B 6-1 phneotypes were found twice among 201 Temuan and twice among 227 Semelai while Pep B 2-1 phenotypes were found thrice among 227 Semai. The others, including all 257 members of the Jakum ethinic groups, were of the common Pep B 1 phenotype. These results are consistent with cultural evidence, in that the Temuan and Semelai also show considerable cultural similarity to each other, while the Semai are considered to belong to a separete classification. However, the Jakun are also usually considered as belonging to the Proto-Malay classification, along with the Temuan and the Semelai.