Haplogroup J2

1000 Genomes Project yielding informative SNP's for Haplogroup J2

2012-01-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

The 1000 genomes project, with data freely available to the scientific community, is providing a multitude of informative markers to the Y-DNA Tree. Within J2 a number of new SNP's have been identified, including Z387 which may split current haplogroup J2a4h (L24, M530). Within this subclade of J2, some key clusters were identifiable by Short Tandem Repeats, especially at DYS 445 where values of 6 and 10 are largely observed whereas most M172 derived haplotypes carry repeats of 12 at this marker. Testing is still in its initial stages but results thus far are showing that DYS445=6 haplotypes are Z387 derived and DYS 445=10 haplotypes are ancestral for this SNP. Previously, a marker, L70, had identified a large subset of the DYS 445=6 haplotypes, with the exception of one cluster. Z387 may turn out to be an informative Y-SNP which identifies most or all J2a4h haplotypes with the apparent deletion at DYS 445=6.

Y Draft Tree graphic courtesy of Thomas Krahn, DNA-Fingerprint. A number of other 1000 genomes SNP's within Haplogroups J1 and other subclades of J2 are being researched by a variety of projects including the Y-Haplogroup J project at Family Tree DNA headed by Bonnie Schrack.

Neolithic Patrilineal Signals on the Armenian Plateau

2011-11-17T13:37:00.001-08:00

A recently released study on the Y-Chromosomes of Armenians from four distinct regions, the Ararat Valley, Gardman, Lake Van and Sasun shows a predominence of the J2-M172 haplogroup, combined with R1b, G2 and E1b1c1. The paper indicates settlement and population expansion dating back to the neolithic. This study , undertaken by Herrera, Underhill, Regueiro and others, recorded frequencies, calculated variance and compared these figures with neighbouring populations in an attempt to understand the migrations of the most frequent haplogroups observed within a neolithic context.

Frequencies of J2-M172 were very high, at 30% in the Gardman Region of present day Azerbaijan and 29% in the Lake Van region of eastern Turkey. J2a-M410(xM67) was the most frequent haplogroup subclade observed. A single P279 haplotype (J2a3), an extremely rare sublcade of J2 was also observed. Haplotype diversity, often used to determine the age of a particular haplogroup, was highest in neighbouring Palestine, followed by Crete, Syria, Greece and Lebanon. These figures, the authors suggest, could be indicative of an arrival of J2 chromosomes to the Armenian Plateau from the Levant possibly coinciding with the expansion of Agriculture.

The data observed in the Armenian Plateau, while carrying frequencies of Haplogroup J2 common in other areas of the Middle East, showed a much higher level of R1b, a correlation not observed in neighbouring populations like Iran, Iraq and the Levant. The authors suggest both R1b and J2, combined with other haplogroups E1b1b1-M35 and G2a are all indicative of Neolithic expansions and migrations. Yet R1b stands out from this group as it shows a very different frequency and spread from J, E and G haplogroups, which are much more frequent in the Fertile Crescent.

Genetic Diversity on the Comoros Islands show Seafaring Influence on Settlement

2011-08-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

A recent Study in the European Journal of Human Genetics explores the rich and diverse history of the peoples of the Comoros islands. The Comoros islands are situated in the western Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania. Y chromosome and mitochondrial analysis showed a strong male genetic influence from South Asia and the Middle East, the latter attributed by authors to be as a result of settlement of Shirazi Persian Traders on the islands some 1000 years ago.

J2a, M410 was detected at a rate of 7% on the sample set of 381 Y Chromosomes. Interestingly, rare J* (xM172 xM267) was also found among samples from the Comoros.

The J1 and J2 data along with G2a and E1b1b data is attributed by authors to have come directly from a Middle Eastern origin and mostly from Shirazi Traders from the city of Shiraz in present day Iran.

By 1000 YBP, the Shirazi, traders with origins in the Persian city of Shiraz in present day Iran, had established themselves on the island of Kilwa. The Shirazi were responsible for the generalisation of Islam on the Swahili coast by 500 YBP. They had built mosques on Kilwa, Zanzibar and Anjouan by 800 YBP...A possible source of the Northern Y chromosomes is therefore the Shirazi traders from Southern Iran who established trading posts on the Comoros by 800 YBP.
Link

Haplogroup J2 subclade M340 downstream of P279

2011-05-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

Recent testing at Family Tree DNA has confirmed that a very rare subclade of J2, M340 reported in Anatolia in the paper "Excavating Y-Chromosome Haplotype Strata in Anatolia" has been shown to reside downstream of an equally rare subclade P279. Both P279 and M340 reside upstream of L26 and L27, SNP's derived in many but not all M172 haplotypes.

To date only 4 cases of the P279 subclade (formerly referred to as J2a3) have been reported FTDNA as well as 2 cases from published data. King and Underhill reported M340 in a sample from region 8-Western Coastal Anatolia. Other known cases to date are also from Anatolia, Syria, and single samples have been reported with origins in Southern Russia and Southern France.

The coming of the Greeks to Provence and Corsica

2011-03-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

A new paper released by King, Underhill, Chiaroni et al tries to unravel the Y chromosome contribution of ancient greek settlements to the Southern French regions of Provence and Corsica. Their conclusions in analyzing the data is that upwards of 17% of the paternal lineages in Provence could be of Ancient Greek origin. The study itself focuses on E1b1b V-13 as the signature greek marker. Their conclusions also suggest that southern France had little contribution from the Neolithic period. However, how they arrived at these conclusions, while they may be valid, could be, in part, erroneous. Southern France, especially around the testing areas along the Rhone was not simply a Roman territory, it was part of "Rome" itself, with senatorial representation. The study tries to negate the contribution of E-V13 from Roman sources by comparing Provence to other Roman conquered areas such as Spain and England. This comparison is apples and oranges as southern France was far more tightly integrated into the Roman Empire than most other areas outside present day Italy. Therefore, some of the E-V13 found in southern france may be indicative of Roman settlement and not just of Greek origin.

The paper also suggests that Haplogroup subclades G2a3a-M406 and J2a4h-M530 are indicative of Neolithic migrations. And therefore the absence of these subclades suggests little or no Neolithic contribution to the present day genetic makeup in Provence. This assumption can lead to false conclusions as G2a3a and J2a4h are likely indicative of multiple origins from the Middle East and based on certain dating methods could be indicative of post-neolithic migrations. So, the authors conceivably could be looking at the right haplogroups but the wrong subclades to estimate Neolithic contributions to the present day genetic makeup of Southern France.

Criticisms aside, the authors provide solid evidence that Greek settlement in southern France is evidenced in today's genetic makeup of men from the region. There are some clear correlations of haplotypes and their study involves a much deeper analysis both of subclades and haplotype STR's allowing for more accurate comparisons. Combined with archaelogical evidence, viticulture and historical knowledge, this region of southern France carries with it, traces of ancient Greek origins in their genes as well.

Looking at J2-M172, the authors found 10% derived M172 haplotypes in their sample study. 8% were derived for M530, J2a4h with 445=6 while 2% were derived for J2a4b, M67. Many J2 subclades were completely absent from the region including J2a4b1-M92, J2a4h with 445=10, J2a*, J2a4* and all subclades of J2b.

Link to Paper

Haplogroup J2 in the Maronites of Lebanon

2010-12-14T19:14:00.000-08:00

A recent paper by the genographic consortium, Influences of History, Geography and Religion on Genetic Structure: The Maronites of Lebanon, demonstrates again the ancient and deep link between Haplogroup J2 and Lebanon. M172, Haplogroup J2 was the most frequent haplogroup found in all 3 Lebanese groups-Lebanese Muslims, Orthodox and Maronites. The frequency of Haplogroup J2 in the Lebanese Maronite community was 34.74%, one of the highest frequencies of M172 published to date. The study also showed however that Haplogroup J2 was found in 26.23% of Lebanese Muslims and 25.85% of Lebanese Greek Orthodox also being the most frequent haplogroup in these respective communities. The aim of the study was to describe the genetic structure of Lebanon and the effect of how social history may have contributed to genetic differentiation between these Lebanese religious groups. While the study did show some minor variance between the communities genetic structure, it revealed no significant distinction of major haplogroups. Supplemental data however did show that J2-M172 with DYS 391=9, often a characteristic of the L70 subclade of YCC Haplogroup J2a4h was almost completely limited to the Lebanese Christian population.

The Maronite community in Lebanon dates back to the 5th Century and is among the first Christian communities in the Near East. The liturgical language of the Maronite Church is Aramaic (Syriac). Their initial settlements were in the Mountains of Lebanon where they remained relatively isolated until the time of the Crusades. They are one of the largest Christian sects in Lebanon. The very high presence of Haplogroup J2-M172 among Maronites strongly suggests J2 was among the founding lineages of the community.

New L267 SNP may define distinct cluster of J2a4

2010-02-01T08:50:00.000-08:00

Family Tree DNA's Walk Through the Y program has yielded hundreds of new SNP's that are helping to define the Y-Chromosome Tree. One such SNP, named L267 was recently found in a participant in the program whose paternal origin lies in Calabria, Southern Italy. The mutation, an A to G transition at position 2948591 on the Y chromosome is thus far, unique to this participant. The mutation was not found in other participants from other J2a4 subclades, J2-M67 and J2-L25 (rs34534058). Thus, it appears L267 could define a subclade under J2a4.

Similar haplotypes come largely from Eastern Anatolia and Armenia indicative of the possibility of a more recent spread from Anatolia to Italy for this cluster. The cluster can be viewed in the Haplogroup J project's results identified as J2a4 Cluster C. Further testing of this SNP is in progress.

Additional SNP's have also been identified in J2a4h (L25) including L192.2, L229, L230, L231, L243, L254 and L264 which so far look to define clusters within this subclade of J2, M172.

Indian Muslim population shows genetic affinity with non-Muslim Indian Geographic Neighbours

2010-01-25T13:03:00.000-08:00

A 2009 study by India's National DNA Analysis Centre shows Indian Muslims display a genetic affinity with their neighbouring Non-Muslim populations along with low levels of Arabian, Central Asian and Iranian admixture. The study sampled 431 Indian Muslims from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The results showed distinctions between the Muslim communities based on geographic origins and a greater affinity to their neighbouring non-muslims than to each other. However, the study also does note a contribution to the genetic structure of Indian Muslims coming from Iranian and Arabian populaitons. The study does show some distinctive Y-DNA haplogroup frequencies especially in Haplogroup J:

Most noteworthy were the J2, J2a and JxJ2 frequencies of the Indian Shia population which were substantially higher than those of Indian Non-Muslims.

The spread of Islam in India was predominantly cultural conversion association with minor but still detectable levels of gene flow from outside, primarily from Iran and Central Asia, rather than directly from the Arabian Peninsula.
Traces of sub-Saharan and Middle Eastern lineages in Indian Muslim populations

Phylogeographic Analysis of Paternal Lineages in NE Portuguese Jewish Communities

2009-11-18T10:47:00.000-08:00

ABSTRACT

The establishment of Jewish communities in the territory of contemporary Portugal is archaeologically documented since the 3rd century CE, but their settlement in Tra´s-os-Montes (NE Portugal) has not been proved before the 12th century. The Decree of Expulsion followed by the establishment of the Inquisition, both around the beginning of the 16th century, accounted for a significant exodus, as well as the establishment of crypto-Jewish communities. Previous Y chromosome studies have shown that different Jewish communities share a common origin in the Near East, although they can be quite heterogeneous as a consequence of genetic drift and different levels of admixture with their respective host populations. To characterize the genetic composition of the Portuguese Jewish communities from Tra´s-os-Montes, we have examined 57 unrelated Jewish males, with a high-resolution Y-chromosome typing strategy, comprising 16 STRs and 23 SNPs. A high lineage diversity was found, at both haplotype and haplogroup levels (98.74 and 82.83%, respectively), demonstrating the absence of either strong drift or founder effects. A deeper and more detailed investigation is required to clarify how these communities avoided the expected inbreeding caused by over four centuries of religious repression. Concerning haplogroup lineages, we detected some admixture with the Western European non-Jewish populations (R1b1b2-M269, 28%), along with a strong ancestral component reflecting their origin in the Middle East [J1(xJ1a-M267), 12%; J2-M172, 25%; T-M70, 16%] and in consequence Tra´s-os-Montes Jews were found to be more closely related with other Jewish groups, rather than with the Portuguese non-Jewish population.

The Portuguese NE Jews display a much closer genetic relation to Jewish populations of Europe and the Middle East, especially other Sephardic groups, than to the Portuguese population. However, it should be pointed out that the high frequencies of haplogroup R1b1b2, less frequent in other Jewish populations, indicate a significant level of admixture with non-Jewish Iberian populations.

Link

Family Tree DNA's Walk the Y yields new SNP's for Haplogroup J2

2009-11-11T06:09:00.000-08:00

A program by Family Tree DNA, Walk through the Y, was set up late last year to allow customers to search for new SNP's or branches to their respective Y-DNA haplogroups. Recent testing on a number of Haplogroup J2 participants has yielded 9 new SNP's, many of which will prove to be phylogenetically informative in branching current subclades. Below is a list of SNP's found to date:

L207.1 A6813448G found in J-L70 and J-L25 participants. May be synonomous with J-L24 or L25.
L210 A15001591T found in one J-M67 participant.
L212 T21120853C found in J-M67 and J-L25 participants.
L218 deletion at 20199329 found in J-M67 participant.
L227 C6919963T found in J-M67 participant.
L228 C7831358T found in J-M67 and J-L25 participants.
L229 C6813447T found in one J-L25 participant, ancestral in another.
L230 G20327921A found in one J-L25 participant, ancestral in another
L231 C13524835G found in one J-L25 participant, ancestral in J-M67.

It is likely more SNP's will be found as a more thorough analysis of the results has yet to be done. Also, results from other J2 participants have yet to arrive. SNP's can be used to determine the branchin within the Y-Chromosome tree and it is likely some of these SNP's will determine new terminal branches under J-M67 and J-L25.

Saudi Arabian Y Chromosome Diversity and its Relationship with Nearby Regions

2009-09-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

A new provisional study by Dr. Khalad Abu-Amero et al takes a detailed look at the genetic makeup of Saudi Arabians and provides a comparison with its geographical neighbours. Saudi Arabia has long been unsurveyed from a Y Chromosome Perspective and while many areas of the Middle East have been well studied, this new paper does shed light on the distribution of haplogroups in the Arabian Peninsula. Haplogroup J1, M267 was most frequent overall, representing 40% of the Y Chromosome samples. The authors are quick to note however, that Saudi Arabia is distinguished from its neighbours by higher levels of M172, Haplogroup J2. Haplogroup J2 was the second most frequent haplogroup found in the Study sample, representing 15.92% of the total. These J2 lineages were also tested for subclades M410, M47, M67, M92, M158, M339, M340, M12 and M241. The most frequent subclade of J2 was J2a, M410+ with the deletion at DYS 413 (rs34126399), which represented about 72% of all J2 in the study. M47 was also detected at 2.55% of the total or 16% of the J2 total. The higher levels of J2 found in Saudi Arabia were explained by the study's authors as being a result of Saudi Arabia's geographical proximity to the Fertile Crescent and northern boundary with the Levant. With respect to Haplogroup J1, the authors estimate, using a 0.00069 mutation rate, divergence ages for M267 at 11.2kya for Saudi Arabia and 11.3kya for Yemen, also noting these ages as significantly older than estimates for UAE, Qatar and Oman. This suggested a terrestrial colonization and spread of Haplogroup J1 in Saudi Arabia.

Link

Y chomosome Genetic Landscape of the Levant

2009-08-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

A new study of Y chromosome haplogroup distribution in the Levant, appearing in the Annals of Human Genetics, establishes a complex pattern of haplogroup distribution, especially with haplogroups J1 and J2, and theorizes on a coastal-inland contrast differentiating J1 and J2 in the Levant. The study included the DNA of 5874 men from the Levant and neighbouring regions, and the results established a coastal-inland, east-west pattern of diversity and frequency distribution within the Levant. The study again shows the most frequent haplogroup in Lebanon is Haplogroup J2, with a frequency of 29.4%. In the South of Syria, in the cities of Damascus and Diraa, J2 was present at frequencies of 24% and 83.3% respectively. In Lebanon, J2 was found in its highest frequencies at Zahle (37.5%) in the Bekaa Valley and at Byblos (36.4%).

Haplogroup J1 was revealed to show a larger frequency but lower diversity in inland regions of the Levant. The authors note most of the interior, where higher frequencies of J1 were found, were arid with semi-desert conditions which support a lower population diversity. Consistent with previous analyses, coastal Levantine regions showed a high frequency of Haplogroup J2.

"The diversified J2 reduced-median network and high coastal frequency suggest a sustained and non-interrupted presence of this haplogroup along the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean"

Geographical Structure of the Y-Chromosomal Genetic Landscape of the Levant: A coastal-inland contrast

Jewish priesthood founded on limited paternal lineages

2009-08-11T08:38:00.001-07:00

A new study of the Jewish priesthood (Cohanim) suggests the majority of contemporary Jewish priests descend from a limited number of paternal lineages, the 2 largest being in J1e (P58) and J2a (M410). Over 60% of Cohanim descend from one of these 2 paternal lines. Unfortunately the paper did not test for newly discovered SNP's L24 and L25 (rs35248080 and rs34534058), known to be found in a large set of J2 Ashkenazi Cohanim. These haplotypes were simply defined as J2a, M410 in this paper. The study identifies 2 principal founding lineages for Jewish priests, one in J1e (P58) dating back to a common ancestor who lived approximately 3190 years ago and another lineage in J2a (M410) dating back to a common ancestor who lived 4200 years ago. It is also interesting to see a 3rd lineage of Jewish priests from the island of Jerba defined by SNP M318 which also lies downstream of SNP's L24 and L25, also known as J2a4h.

The study was a long overdue followup to a 1997 study which identified a 6 marker Cohen Modal Haplotype. This new paper identifies an expanded 12 marker haplotype in J1 found in a large portion of Cohanim who carry the Y-Chromosome M267 (J1) SNP. The study also showed the likelihood of both the J1e and J2a genetic signatures dating back to before the Jewish diaspora since both signatures were found in Jewish communites from the Near East, Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, communities which have been, for the most part, separated since roman times.

Neolithic Migrations in the Near East and Aegean

2009-07-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

Dr. Roy King has contributed a very interesting chapter to a 2009 book, Ancient Human Migrations, where he provides some insight into the earliest migrations of Haplogroups J1 and J2. He applies linguistic and archeaological research to the current spread, diversity and frequency of Y-Chromosome haplogroups J1 and J2 to theorize on their deepest origins. Among some of the noted general observations was the trade in Obsidian dating from 9000BC originating from sources near Lake Van in Eastern Anatolia and found in the southern Levant.

His observations on Haplogroup J2 are especially interesting, noting its highest variance which is one component of a possible origin, being found in South Eastern Anatolia, Northwestern Iraq, the Mediterranean and among Palestinians living in coastal Israel. He notes these variances are higher than in other areas such as Iran and the Caucasus where high levels of J2 are also found. Using STR mutation rates of .0007 per generation (rates theorized by Zhivotovsky et al), he theorizes an expansion of J2 between 19,000 and 25,000 BCE presumably placing J2 during the Last Glacial Period at refugia areas in the middle Euphrates and southern Levant. From there, he theorizes, J2 was well positioned to participate in the Neolithic Expansion to areas like Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus, Iran and India.

Dr. King also notes an interesting correlation with a subclade of Haplogroup J2, M67, and place names in the Aegean, Balkans and Italy while citing a deeper origin for subclade M67 in Northern Syria or southern Anatolia. The age and spread of M67 seems associated with proto-greek substratum in the Aegean.

Some of the most interesting theories put forth in the chapter deal with linguistics. While noting that multiple haplogroups are likely involved in the spread of languages through the middle east, Dr. King noted a correlation between very old Middle Eastern languages of uncertain origin and Haplogroup J2 while at the same time theorizing that Haplogroup J1 may have been involved in spreading Semitic languages through the region. These old languages possibly linked to J2 are known to have existed in Mesopotamia and the Northern Levant and this substratum is sometimes referred to as "Banana" languages due to their syllabic duplication.

Underlying both these migrations, there may have been a population dating to the LGM characterized by J2 Y lineages whose set of languages is unknown but may have included syllabic reduplication in their morphology... Immediately after the LGM, southeast Anatolia, northern Syria and coastal Palestine may have provided refugia to populations marked by J2 lineages of uncertain linguistic character.

Haplogroup J2, M172 in Antalya, Turkish Republic

2009-06-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

Timur Serdar and Demircin Sema authored a recent study on the Y chromosomes of Antalya, which is located on the southern coast of Anatolia. Haplogroup J2 was most frequent in this study of 75 unrelated males found at a frequency of 26.6%. The J2 data was consistent with an earlier study by Cinnioglu et al which found 24% J2 in southern Anatolia. Haplogroup T (K* in the study) was next most frequent at 13.3% and this data differed from Cinnioglu's data which found only 3.3% Haplogroup K in southern Anatolia.

The first record of Antalya was as Attalia, a greek city founded approximately 150BC by Attalos II, King of Pergamon.

Link

Oldest Village in the Middle East uncovered in Iran

2009-05-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

Iran's Press TV is reporting that Iranian and English archeologists have uncovered what they believe to be the oldest village in the Middle East in Kermanshah Province, Western Iran. Carbon dating on discovered objects in the village date to 9800BC and evidence suggests the site was inhabited until 7400BC according to Hassan Fazeli, director of Iran's Archeology Research Center. According to Fazeli, such evidence strenthens the theory that Iran was one of the main Neolithic centres of the Middle East.

Some of the highest frequencies of Y chromosome Haplogroup J2, also associated with the Neolithic are found in Iran.

CNN features genetic work of the Genographic Project's research in Lebanon

2009-04-10T08:10:00.000-07:00

Genographic Project Principal Investigator Pierre Zalloua was recently featured on CNN's "Inside the Middle East" program. Pierre discusses the discoveries made by the Genographic team about the Phoenicians, the mysterious ancient maritime culture from the first millennium BCE.

FTDNA releases updated Haplogroup J2 tree

2009-03-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

Family Tree DNA has updated their nomenclature for the various subclades of Haplogroup J2a. They have incorporated the new L24 and L25 SNP's which refer to rs35248080 and rs34534058 respectively. They have also updated the position of P279 above the deletion at DYS 413, which is represented by L26 (rs34126399). This update thus recognizes L24/L25, a sizeable branch of haplogroup J2 which previously was only identified by FTDNA as J2a (M410). However, they'll need to revise yet again, as research from Thomas Krahn seems to show some haplotypes are L24 positive or derived but L25 negative or ancestral. He has also identified a further SNP in these haplotypes which is being called L84. DNA fingerprint seems to show one of the more up to date Haplogroup J trees here . The DNA fingerprint tree is also more legible in part, since it references the SNP 's by name and not by a constantly evolving numbering system.

Haplogroup J in the Gulf of Oman

2009-03-02T08:05:00.000-08:00

A paper from Cardenas et al 2008, Y-Chromosome diversity characterizes the Gulf of Oman, analyzes the Y Chromosome diversity for clues to the origins of present day peoples of this region. This part of the world has played a key role in many migratory episodes leaving Africa for Eurasia. Certainly Arabia served as a conduit for the first migrations out of Africa however, the data suggest that the during the Neolithic era, contact with the Levant and Mesopotamia contributed to the very high levels of Haplogroup J found in the Persian Gulf. Just north of the Persian Gulf lies the Fertile Crescent, stretching from Egypt in the West to Iraq in the East. This region is recognized as the birthplace of agriculture during the Neolithic period. While the region was fertile, ancient international trade existed for minerals and other resources. Archaelogical evidence in the form of Ubaid pottery, dated 7000yBP shows ancient contact between the Persian Gulf, Mesopotamia and the Arabian Gulf. Clues from Y Chromosome data, such as the presence of E3b subclade M34 suggest ancient contact between Yemen and the Levant or Egypt. The presence of Haplogroup J2, M172 at frequencies over 10% in UAE could be an indication of migrations from Mesopotamia and/or the Levant.

By far the most frequent haplogroup throughout the Arabian Peninsula is Haplogroup J1 defined by SNP M267. In this study it was found at rates of 58% in Qatar, 72% in Yemen and 34% in UAE. M172 on the other hand was found at rates of 10.3% in UAE, 9.6% in Yemen and 8.4% in Qatar. The authors go on to conclude that the Neolithic period helped disperse Haplogroup J into the Arabian peninsula from the north. They also note the highest levels of diversity seem to emanate from the Persian Gulf coastal areas of UAE, Southern Iran, Oman and South Pakistan.

YCC J2a13 P279 likely resides above 413 deletion

2009-02-15T06:39:00.000-08:00

The YCC Subclade J2a13 (ISOGG J2a1j) defined by the SNP P279 has been found derived in one FTDNA Haplogroup J project participant who's paternal line originates is Southern France. It is among the first examples of this very rare subclade found to date, and the result will also likely allow ISOGG researchers to more properly place this subclade on Y chromosome tree. The reason is that this participant carries values of 22 and 22 at DYS 413. This marker, DYS 413, in J2, is usually found with values at or near 17 and it is believed this deletion event represents a division of J2 which is likely now defined by SNP's L26 and L27 (L26=rs34126399). Thus, the P279 result shows that P279 is a branch of J2 which falls into the group that does not carry these SNP's, L26 and L27.

The participant only has one 1 step mismatch from Syria on public databases including YHRD, SMGF and Ysearch.

Evidence of a Cultural diffusion of agriculture in Southeast Europe

2009-01-20T07:01:00.000-08:00

A recent paper by Battaglia et al, Y chromosomal evidence of the cultural diffusion of Agriculture in Southeast Europe, attempts to measure the impact of Neolithic farmers from the Middle East on Southeastern Europe to determine if these farming technologies were spread to Europe more through cultural contact or through migrations of Near Eastern peoples into Europe. The neolithic expansion into europe is a complex process likely involving multiple migrations and cultural diffusion over a period of time starting around 9000BC. In this study, Y Chromosome data was collected from 16 regions of South East Europe. The findings suggest that Haplogroup J2b-M241 correlates with the Neolithic period, has a different migration and origin from J2a-M410 and that J2b-M241 may have been involved in the process of admixture with Mesolithic peoples, thus being among the first peoples to introduce agriculture to Euorpe.

Levels of J2a-M410 were very low through the areas studied with little correlation of subclades. J2b frequencies showed a spike in Albania at 14.5% and was found in Greece and the Czech republic at rates of around 4%. The findings of the authors suggest that Haplogroups I and E-V13 were representative of Mesolithic peoples already present in the region who adopted the farming technologies introduced by near eastern farming colonists. From SE Europe where this cultural contact took place, agriculture then spread through Europe crossing the Adriatic into Italy.

Although southeast europe shows considerable archaeological evidence of the Neolithic transition, our Y-Chromosome results provide biological evidence of complexity in the transition to farming in terms of the contrasting influences of pioneering agriculturalists and Mesolithic foragers.

Y Chromosomes of Iberia reflect Sephardic and Moorish Origins?

2008-12-23T07:17:00.000-08:00

A recent article in the American Journal of Human Genetics, The Genetic Legacy of Religious Diversity and Intolerance: Paternal LIneages of Christians, Jews and Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula attempts to estimate the percentage of Sephardic Jewish and Moorish origins in the present day Iberian population. The results yielded very surprising figures; that upwards of 20% of Iberian Y Chromosomes are of Sephardic Jewish origin and 10% could be of Moorish origin. The history of Iberia certainly records the presence and impact of these 2 cultural groups on the peninsula. This article represents the first attempt using genetics to estimate levels of religious conversion that happened during the Spanish Inquisition period. The study included 1140 DNA samples from Iberia, representing a hugely informative look at the haplogroups of Spain and Portugal as well as long awaited data on the Sephardic Jewish communities mostly originating from Belmonte, Bulgaria, Djerba, and Turkey. The data itself shows that of the 14 haplogroups found in the Sephardic Jewish community, M172, Haplogroup J2 is the most frequent haplogroup overall, representing 25% of this population group. This was followed closely by M267, Haplogroup J1 which represented 22% of the total. In the Iberian Peninsula, M172, Haplogroup J2 was most frequent in the south, 15% in Southern Portugal, 14% in Western Andalusia and 12% in Extremadura. Interestingly, the Balaeric Islands showed lower levels of M172, Haplogroup J2 in Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza at 8, 3 and 4% respectively.

One glaring observation which might challenge the conclusions of the article is the ratio of J:J2 found in the Sephardic Jewish population compared to that of the Iberian population. This ratio is 0.88 (22% vs 25%) in the Separdich Jewish population but only 0.125 (1% vs 8%) in the Iberian Population. If one was to assume the converted Jewish population of Iberia contained a similar genetic makeup to present day Sephardic Jewish communities, looking at Haplogroup J1 as a defining marker, the amount of Sephardic ancestry could not exceed 5% since J1 makes up 22% of present day Sephardic Jews but was found in only 1% of Iberians. From this perspective, the articles conclusions of a 20% Sephardic Jewish ancestry seem lofty. The study's approach was to look at the genetic markers of the Basque population, Moroccan population and present day Sephardic Jewish population to represent Iberian, Moorish and Sephardic ancestry respectively. It then compared this data with that of the 1140 Iberian Y-Chromosomes from the study. Again, the study seems to largely discount the possible input of Phoenician or other near eastern populations as a source for the present day genetic makeup of the Iberian Y chromosome data assuming both Phoenician and Greek impact would be in the eastern parts of Iberia and not in the West where most Haplogroup J2 and J is found. The authors also note a good degree of Haplotype sharing (exact matches) at 3.6% between Sephardic Jewish haplotypes and Iberian Haplotypes. The study also notes the Sephardic sample which is taken from a small group of individuals would have been subject to Founder effect, bottlenecks and other factors which might reduce haplotype diversity.

Looking at the impact of the Moors, the study does provide good evidence linking E3b (M81) to a Moorish population originating in North Africa. The low diversity of this genetic marker comparing North African and Iberian M81 haplotypes supports a very recent common origin, likely brought to Iberia by the Islamic Moors, who controlled the Peninsula for 700 years.

Overall the study does a good job of a very difficult task in attempting to uncover the genetic history of Iberia and how its recent history has had a profound impact on its present day population which undoubtedly includes both Sephardic Jewish and Moorish origins.

Update on rs35248080

2008-12-15T12:53:00.000-08:00

The SNP found in Haplogroup J2, rs35248080 should likely split the M410 branch of J2 into 2 large subgroups. Those positive for rs35248080 seem to include all or part of 2 J2 clusters referred to as J2a1h (ISOGG) also known as J2a-Lambda (J2 Y-DNA Project) as well as another cluster, pre-J2a1h (Haplogroup J project) or J2a-Beta (J2 Y-DNA Project). Thus far haplotypes which are M67+ are negative for the SNP rs35248080, haplotypes in J2a that do not carry the deletion at DYS 413 are also negative. Participants in J2b are also negative. Haplotypes which carry a distintive 9 repeats at DYS 450 as well as 6 or 10 repeats at DYS 445 which define J2a1h/J2a-Lambda and pre-J2a1h/J2a-Beta respectively have tested positive for the new SNP. Testing is ongoing.

Elamo-Harappan origins for Haplogroup J2 in India?

2008-11-26T08:45:00.000-08:00

The presence of Haplogroup J2 in India, including the subclades M410 and M241 has been an often overlooked clue to the origins of M172. Sengupta et al, in 2005 worked to explain the presence of M172 in India. Their paper provides an immediate acknowledgement of the proposed spread of proto-Elamo-Dravidian speaking peoples into India originating from the Indus Valley and southwest Persia. The idea that M172 may have been carried into India with proto-Elamo-Dravidian groups is supported by the frequencies of Haplogroup J in one of the only remaining Dravidian Speaking ethnic groups in the Iranian Plateau, the Brahui. 28% of the Brahui, an ethnic Dravidian speaking group from Western Pakistan were found to carry the mutation defining Haplogroup J. Overall Haplogroup J2 in India represented 9.1% of this very populous nation. In Pakistan, M172 accounted for 11.9% of the Y-Chromosomes typed. Sengupta's paper broke down the frequencies of Haplogroup J2 into various caste and language groups. J2 was found to be significantly higher among Dravidian castes at 19% than among Indo-European castes at 11%. J2a-M410 in particular may be a strong candidate for a proposed migration of proto-Dravidian peoples from the Iranian Plateau or the Indus Valley since J2a M410 is a very high component of the haplogroup J2 chromosomes found in Pakistan. Over 71% of the M172 found in Pakistan was M410+.

Another interesting characteristic in the distribution of M172 and more specifically, M410, in India was its higher frequencies in Upper Caste Dravidians. M410+ chromosomes were found in 13% of Upper Caste Dravidians. Sengupta goes on to suggest an Indian origin of Dravidian speakers but from a Y chromosome perspective, the paper seems to acknowledge M172 arriving in India from Middle Eastern and Indus Valley Civilizations.

Despite an apparent exogenous frequency spread pattern of J2a toward North and Central India from the west, it is premature to attribute the spread to a simplistic demic expansion of early agriculturists from the Middle East....it may also reflect subsequent Bronze Age Harappans of uncertain provenance.

Subclades of M172 such as M67 and M92 were not found in either Indian or Pakistani samples which also might hint at a partial common origin. And while there may be multiple events and origins for M172 lineages in India, it does seem likely that the Indus Valley and Elamo-Dravidian speaking groups may be the origin of some of the M172 found in India today.

Y chromosomes of Sicily

2008-11-14T06:29:00.000-08:00

In May of 2008, Cornelia Di Gaetano et al submitted an article to the European Journal of Human Genetics studying the Y chromosome makeup of the island of Sicily. Sicily has one of the highest frequencies of Haplogroup J2 (M172) in the mediterranean. J2-M172 made up 33% of the Y chromosome signatures on the island and was non-randomly distributed occurring at higher frequencies in the eastern areas of the island. This distinction was evident in the subclades, M67 and M92, which have previously been linked to Greek and proto-greek colonization. Both M67 and M92 were twice as frequent on the eastern portion of Sicily which displays more archaelogical traces from the Greek classic era. Even the paragroup of undistinguished J2 haplotypes (M172) was more than twice as frequent in Eastern Sicily. One of the more interesting subclades, referred to as J2a1k (DYS445=6) showed an interesting non-random distribution in Sicily. This subclade is also commonly referred to as J2a1h (ISOGG) or J2a-Lambda (J2 DNA Project). Most striking was differences in frequencies between Mazara Del Vallo and Sciacca. Mazara Del Vallo is a port city established by the Phoenicians in the 9th century B.C. while Sciacca, known as Thermae in Greek times, was founded in the 5th century B. C. by the Greeks. These 2 cities, founded by different groups are only 57 KM apart. Yet 11.11% of the Y chromosomes in Mazara del Vallo were J2 M172 with DYS 445=6 while this subclade was absent from the sample data from Sciacca. Trapani, another port city in Western Sicily also exhibited high levels of J2-M172 with DYS 445=6 at 9.09%. This subclade was absent from the inland cities of Santa Ninfa and Piazza Armerina and the northern Sicily town of Caccamo. The data seems to suggest that J2a1h (J2a1k)'s distribution is stronger in coastal regions of Western Sicily and more rare in inland and Eastern parts of the island. The sole exception to this trend was the data from Troina which did report 10% J2 M172 with DYS 445=6. Overall the non-random and high levels of J2 on the island of Sicily seem to reflect the complex history of the island and might represent multiple migrations by multiple groups over various periods of the islands history.

The general heterogeneous composition of Hgs seen in our Sicilian data is consistent with similar patterns observed in other major islands of the Mediterranean, like Sardinia and Crete, possibly reflecting the complex histories of settlements in these islands during the Holocene.

(Link)

Phoenician Footprints in the Mediterranean

2008-10-31T08:08:00.000-07:00

Pierre Zalloua and the Genographic Consortium have been hard at work trying to retrace the steps of the Phoenician civilization which dominated trade in the Mediterranean 2 to 3 thousand years ago. From their homeland in the Levant, they established colonies and trading posts throughout the Mediterranean eventually disappearing into history. Zalloua et al are attempting to find some genetic trace of the phoenicians by examining the Y chromosome of men from areas of known Phoenician settlement. Their results link haplogroup J2 and 6 specific Y chomosome haplotypes as having contributed >6% to the present day Y chromosome gene pool of the specific populations studied. The paper focuses on Malta, Tunisia and Southern Spain as phoenician influenced regions spreading from a Phoenician Heartland in present-day Lebanon. Some of the highest levels of Haplogroup J2 are provided in the supplemental data including 28% J2 in the area defined as the Phoenician Heartland, 22% in the neighbouring periphery regions, 37% in Cyprus, 32% in Malta, 14% in Coastal Tunisia and 11% in Southern Spain. Tunisia, in the eyes of the authors provided a valuable contrast:

The excess of J2, PCS1+, PCS2+, and PCS3+ (Phoenician Colonization Genetic Signatures) in coastal Tunisia, the site of Carthage, compared with inland Tunisia is particularly salient, because these lineages are considerably more rare in North Africa than in Southern Europe. It also suggests that the Roman destruction of Carthage did not eliminate the Carthaginian gene pool. Further support for the PCS+ haplotypes' spread with the Phoenicians is illustrated by their generally high frequency among the Phoenician contact sites across the Mediterranean basin (Figures 1D–1F).

The authors used a variety of control tests to estimate the impact of Neolithic, Greek and other population migrations the the studied regions. They noted that only one Haplogroup, J2 consistently scored significantly in all their Phoenician-colony tests across the range of colonization sites. They also identified 6 specific 7 marker haplotypes they believed associated with the Phoenician expansion but acknlowledged that the limited phylogenetic resolution of the haplotypes (their small size) would pick up signatures not necessarily involved with Phoenician expansion. They also hope that future identification of SNP's may lead to the discovery of some rare but distinctly Phoenician genetic signatures. The link to the full paper is on the left side in the links section.

Haplogroup J2-M172 in Iran

2008-10-30T08:57:00.000-07:00

A 2008 Paper written by Nasidze et al, Close Genetic Relationship Between Semitic speaking and Indo-European speaking Groups in Iran, works to demonstrate that geography plays a much stronger role than language in determining genetic relatedness. The paper focuses on comparisons between the Bakthiari, an indo-european speaking population of Iran and Iranian Arabs. The Haplotype frequency table quickly demonstrates that the level of M172, Haplogroup J2 is fairly evenly distributed througout Iran's geography and the population groups studied. In fact, it is the most common Haplogroup found in Iran overall and in the above listed study, present in 28% of Iranian Arabs and 25% of the Bakthiari. A full table of the haplogroup frequencies can be viewed here

While there are some differences with respect to Haplogroup G, paragroup F* which includes J1 (M267) and Haplogroup T (M9), the authors go on to state:

The Iranian Arab group shows close affinities with the Bakhtiari and other Iranian Indo-European-speaking groups for both mtDNA and the Y chromosome. In fact, for both mtDNA and theYchromosome, all of the Indo-Europeanspeaking and Semitic-speaking groups from West Asia exhibit generally low levels of differentiation (i.e. Fst values are less than 0.05). The significant correlation between mtDNA and NRY Fst values, as shown by the Mantel test, further indicates that there are no substantial differences between patterns of mtDNA and NRY variation in this region of the world. The lack of significant differentiation between west Asian Semitic-speaking and Indo-European-speaking groups indicates that language has not been a substantial barrier to gene flow in this part of the world.

Iran shows some of the highest levels of Haplogroup M172 in the world. When one factors in the population of Iran, it may be one of the most populous countries of men bearing the mutation defining Haplogroup J2. But did Haplogroup J2 originate in Iran? This topic is far more complicated and most sources simply indicate its origin as the Northern Portion of the Fertile crescent which could include the northern Levant, Anatolia, Syria, Iraq or Iran. Certainly many subclades of Haplogroup J2 have likely developed outside Iran. Reguiero et al typed their DNA samples in Iran for numerous subclades of J2 which were not found to be present including M137, M158, M163, M280, M318, M319, M321, M339 and M340. These subclades more likely developed and spread from another area of the Near East. Thus Iran is likely not the source region for these particular subclades but could still be one of a few geographical regions of origin for some of the earliest M172 bearing men.

Correlations in the spread of Viticulture and Haplogroup J2

2008-10-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

Recently, I came across a few books which discussed the history of Viticulture and its spread. I was amazed at the similarity in its spread with that of Y-Chromosome Haplogroup J2 (M172). The earliest evidence of Wine Making found to date originates from Hajji Firuz Tepe in the Zagros Mountain Range, Northern Iran. A Wine Jar, with a volume of about 9 liters (2.5 gallons) was found together with five similar jars embedded in the earthen floor along one wall of a "kitchen" of a Neolithic mudbrick building, dated to ca. 5400-5000 B.C. Chemical Analysis determined the residue in the jars was Wine. Some of the highest levels of M172 are found in this area of Iran, 24.24% in Northern Iran according to Regueiro et al. But certainly M172 and the earliest signs of viticulture are not restricted to this remote area of the Near East. Early evidence of viticulture exists in the Levant and later with the Phoenicians and Isrealite populations, the Sumerians, Akkadians and Hittites of Anatolia.

Common discussion on J2 states that it started to spread in the Northern Fertile Crescent during the Neolithic Period. King et Al noted a strong correlation in precipitation levels and associated levels of J2a (M172+ M410+) within the Middle East, stating:

The genetic memory retained in the extant distributions of Y-chromosome haplogroups J1-M267 and J2a-M410 within the FertileCrescent significantly correlates with regional levels of annual precipitation in a reciprocal manner. The statistically significant correlations of Y-chromosome haplogroups, precipitation levels and domestic lifestyle are pronounced. The spatial frequency distribution of haplogroup J2a coincides closely with regions characterised by >400mm of annual precipitation capable of supporting settled agriculture, while haplogroup J1-M267 distributions correlate inversely with semi-arid regions characteristically used by
pastoralists.

Thus, King et al have established that M410's spread seems to correlate with rainfall. It would then make sense that viticulture would likely mirror this spread since about 400 mm is also the level of annual precipiation required to support the farming of Wine Grapes (General Viticulture, Albert Julius Winkler p 395). And this is what we see; that viticulture mirrors the proposed spread of M172, M410 through the Near east during the bronze age.

Wine making spread to Crete during the Minoan period and then later to Italy with the Etruscans and to Iberia with the Phoenicians. It was an integral component of the economy and social culture of the proto-greek civilizations and the phoenicians who both went on to settle other mediterranean coastal regions. And tracing the spread of Viticulture from its origins to its spread before the Roman period, we can see te highest levels of Haplogroup J2 today correlate with the geographical centres of all these civilizations. While viticulture may not represent the first wave of M172 migrants to Europe, M172 certainly played a strong role in bringing Viticulture to Europe with such civilizations as the Minoans, Greeks and Phoenicians.

Important new SNP's in the J2 tree

2008-10-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

23 and Me has been offering testing using a new chip which scans the Y chromosome for over 2000 SNP's. 2 of these could be very significant to the structure of Haplogroup J2, M172. The first, rs34126399, seems to represent an SNP downstream of M410. This SNP was discussed in 23 and me's blog here. Testing done by Dr. Peter Underhill suggest that this SNP is equivalent to the deletion at DYS 413. And thus, it would appear that a major branch of the J2 structure will return at some point to the YCC haplogroup tree.

The second SNP being found in some J2 participants with 23 and me is rs35248080. Less is known about this marker except that it lies downstream of rs34126399 (ISOGG-J2a1). From the testing results received to date, we do know that one participant from the cluster pre-J2a1h (Haplogroup J project FTDNA) or J2a-Beta (J2 DNA project) is positive for this SNP. This group carries some distinctive repeats at DYS 445 and 450 and testing through Family Tree DNA has been ongoing for some time. We also know that 1 participant in Haplogroup J2a2 (ISOGG-J2a1b) which carry the M67 SNP and another in Haplogroup J2b (M205+) were negative for rs35248080. Thus it appears that this SNP could split J2a1's into 2 fairly large branches. Exactly which subclades and clusters are positive for this SNP will only be determined with more testing.

Pronounced Westward Maritime Diffusion of J2a (M410)

2008-10-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

When looking at the diffusion of Haplogroup J2a, M410, westward into Europe, one aspect of this westward spread becomes quite clear. M410+ ancestors used a maritime and coastal route to move west. Considering how J2a arrived in Western Europe to places like Italy, France and Spain one sees 2 possible routes-by land and by sea. The frequencies of J2a in regions that lie between Western Europe and its' origin in the Near East show that a land route to western Europe was quite unlikely. Di Giacomo et al 2006 studied the Y Chromosomes in the Czech Republic through which the Danube river flows. J2a M410 accounted for only 3.5% of the total in the sample set of 257 individuals. In another study published in 2005, Marjanovic et al looked at Y chromosomes in Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia. J2 (xJ2b) lineages accounted for only 3.5% of their sample involving 256 males from these regions. These rates of course are in very sharp contrast to what we see on islands of the mediterranean which show rates of J2a over 20%. Capelli et al, while studying Y chromosomes of the Mediterranean, noted J2 was present in 21% of their Maltese sample, 36.9% of their sample from Cyprus, and ~28% of Sicilian Samples. Even North African regions, such as Tunisia showed over 10% J2.

Many authors including Di Giacomo have noted this maritime or littoral spread of Haplogroup J2. Looking at J2, and specifically at J2a's frequencies from East to West, certainly provides ample support for a maritime spread of J2 into Europe from its origin in the Northern Fertile Crescent.

Diffusion of M319, J2a8 (YCC) Subclade

2008-10-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

One particularly interesting branch of Haplogroup J2, is M319, also referred to as J2a8(YCC) or J2a1e(ISOGG). This SNP was first reported in 2004 by Shen et al in their study of the Samaritans. A link to this paper can be found on the right. M319 was found in 3 samples from their study, 2 Moroccan Jewish and 1 Iraqi Jewish males living in Israel. Further studies which tested for M319 found it to be absent in Iran but quite prevalent (8.8%) in Crete (minoan tablet pictured at right). This branch of J2 does appear to be fairly rare, being found in only a handful of cases of Iberian, Swiss and Italian origin from public databases. M319 haplotypes often show a distinctive value at DYS 413a, where they are seen to carry 16 repeats as opposed to 17 which is normally found in J2a haplotypes that are DYS 413 derived. King and Underhill, in their 2008 paper, Differential Y chromosome Anatolian Influences on the Greek and Cretan Neolithic hint at a bronze age arrival of M319 in Crete and a possible origin in Syro-Palestine or Anatolia saying

In turn, 2 distinctive haplogroups, J2a1h-M319 and J2a1b1-M92, have demographic properties consistent with Bronze Age expansions in Crete, arguably from W/NW Anatolia and Syro-Palestine

Certainly finding M319, albeit rarely, in the Mediterranean, while not being detected in Iran or mainland Greece might support a post-neolithic origin and/or expansion from Syro-Palestine or some other nearby coastal region. There is no shortage of evidence of the ties between the Minoan civilization and Southern Anatolia and the Levant.

What is an SNP and what is M172?

2008-09-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

For many of us who have tested our Y Chromosome for genealogical purposes or to discover our paternal ancestral origins, these are questions that might be considered basic and possibly even uninteresting. But since this is our first blog post, we might as well start with the basics so everyone can be brought up to speed.

SNP stands for a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and it refers to a DNA sequence variation that occurs in a single Nucleotide (A C T or G) in the genome sequence. When one of these changes in some way, we call this a Single Nuleotide Polymorphism or SNP for short. These SNP's, when found on the Y Chromosome, can be used as markers of descent on the paternal tree of life, thus acting as a way of determining relatedness among different people.

So, what is M172? In short, it would be the 172nd Y chromosome SNP discovered by scientists. It is also referred to as Haplogroup J2 and is a genetic marker carried by men originating from a region ranging from India to Spain. All men carrying this genetic marker share a common paternal line ancestor. Haplogroup J2 or M172 is especially frequent in men from the Near East and the eastern Mediterranean. This blog will try to unravel the story of M172 and his descendents, discussing specific branches of Haplogroup J2 and the peoples who spread this marker from the Neolithic right through Roman times.