Population expansion in the N African Late Pleistocene signalled by mitochondrial DNA haplogroup U6

7thSpace Interactive ^ | December 21, 2010 | Luisa Pereira et al

[SunkenCiv]

The archaeology of North Africa remains enigmatic, with questions of population continuity versus discontinuity taking centre-stage. Debates have focused on population transitions between the bearers of the Middle Palaeolithic Aterian industry and the later Upper Palaeolithic populations of the Maghreb, as well as between the late Pleistocene and Holocene.

Results: Improved resolution of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup U6 phylogeny, by the screening of 39 new complete sequences, has enabled us to infer a signal of moderate population expansion using Bayesian coalescent methods.

To ascertain the time for this expansion, we applied both a mutation rate accounting for purifying selection and one with an internal calibration based on four approximate archaeological dates: the settlement of the Canary Islands, the settlement of Sardinia and its internal population re-expansion, and the split between haplogroups U5 and U6 around the time of the first modern human settlement of the Near East.

Conclusions: A Bayesian skyline plot placed the main expansion in the time frame of the Late Pleistocene, around 20 ka, and spatial smoothing techniques suggested that the most probable geographic region for this demographic event was to the west of North Africa. A comparison with U6's European sister clade, U5, revealed a stronger population expansion at around this time in Europe.

Also in contrast with U5, a weak signal of a recent population expansion in the last 5,000 years was observed in North Africa, pointing to a moderate impact of the late Neolithic on the local population size of the southern Mediterranean coast.

[bigheadfred]

It appears to me they have been having a hard time pinpointing the source of expansion of certain DNA into the southern Mediterranean region of Europe. Apparently from the new sequences they can see the time frame of the expansion and that West North Africa may be the source.

I’m sure there is a lot of archeological evidence to be found in that region of Africa. It’s just buried under the sands of the Sahara. So they probably don’t have much of that. They probably have more in Sardinia, etc., and some in Africa that is similar. Following the genome helps place the source.

[SunkenCiv]

A good many of the surname genealogy associations (at least two in my own ancestry) have deals on those.

[bigheadfred]

Have you done it? And are you relatively satisfied with the results? Did your people originate in Bimini? Have I said Merry Christmas to you yet?

[happygrl]

Some Like It Hot?

[blam]

"Do you know anything about getting a DNA test for (your) own ancestry? I see National Geographic has one for $100."

Years ago when I had my DNA checked at National Geographic/IBM, I posted this article and associated links. Many other FReepers did so also and I've yet heard anyone complain. So...

The Genographic Project (Have Your DNA Checked, Find Your Roots)

I was satisfied with my results, etc.

[bigheadfred]

Thank you kindly.

[blam]

Excellent. Thanks.

[spyone]

Did your grandmother do the test as well, Blam? Are you a youngster?

[GreenHornet]

Debates have focused on population transitions between the bearers of the Middle Palaeolithic Aterian industry and the later Upper Palaeolithic populations of the Maghreb, as well as between the late Pleistocene and Holocene.

Oh, man, are they gonna start that argument again?

[blam]

"Did your grandmother do the test as well, Blam? Are you a youngster?"

No. In fact I never knew either of my dad's parents. I got the results from his sister's daughter...my cousin.

mtDNA is passed along only through the females.

I have my mother's mtDNA which is haplogroup 'V'. My sisters have passed this on to their daughters.

My son has my yDNA (R1b) and his mother's mtDNA (haplogroup 'H'). Haplogroups R1b & 'H' are the most common amoungst Europeans at about 68% each.

[spyone]

Can you recommend a website where I can see all the different Halogroups(how many are there?) and where the highest percentages are. Many thanks.

[blam]

"Can you recommend a website where I can see all the different Halogroups(how many are there?) and where the highest percentages are. Many thanks."

This ought to get you started. When you have learned all this, let me know and I'll link you to some of the advanced stuff:

Origins, Age, Spread And Ethnic Association Of European Haplogroups And Subclades

[Walkingfeather]

I for one, am happy the children were here to hear that authentic frontier gibberish.

[SunkenCiv]

Merry Christmas!

[spyone]

Thanks Blam! That is excellent.