Potential mates analysis and the study of human population structure

Analysis of the size and characteristics of potential mate pools is a powerful technique for assessing the importance of social, demographic, geographic, and other influences on patterns of mating and migration. It is also useful for testing the effects of certain assumptions underlying methods commonly used in studies of population structure. Potential mates analysis has been applied to several different populations. It has clarified some aspects of population structure that have been studied by other means in the past and has uncovered some phenomena not previously recognized. The advantages and limitations of this technique are discussed, and its uses to date are reviewed in light of some current criticisms of human population structure studies.