Objectives
Haplogroup C2a‐M48 is the predominant paternal lineage of Tungusic‐speaking populations, one of the largest population groups in Siberia. Up until now, the origins and dispersal of Tungusic‐speaking populations have remained unclear. In this study, the demographic history of Tungusic‐speaking populations was explored using the phylogenetic analysis of haplogroup C2a‐M86, the major subbranch of C2a‐M48.
Materials and methods
In total, 18 newly generated Y chromosome sequences from C2a‐M48 males and 20 previously available Y‐chromosome sequences from this haplogroup were analyzed. A highly revised phylogenetic tree of haplogroup C2a‐M86 with age estimates was reconstructed. Frequencies of this lineage in the literature were collected and a comprehensive analysis of this lineage in 13 022 individuals from 245 populations in Eurasia was performed.
Results
The distribution map of C2a‐M48 indicated the most probable area of origin and diffusion route of this paternal lineage in North Eurasia. Most C2a‐M86 samples from Tungusic‐speaking populations belonged to the sublineage C2a‐F5484, which emerged about 3300 years ago. We identified six unique sublineages corresponding to the Manchu, Evenks, Evens, Oroqen, and Daurpopulations; these sublineages diverged gradually over the past 1900 years. Notably, we observed a clear north‐south dichotomous structure for sublineages derived from C2a‐F5484, consistent with the internal north‐south divergence of Tungusic languages and ethnic groups.
Conclusions
We identified the important founding paternal haplogroup, C2a‐F5484, for Tungusic‐speaking populations as well as numerous unique subgroups of this haplogroup. We propose that the timeframe for the divergence of C2a‐F5484 corresponds with the early differentiation of ancestral Tungusic‐speaking populations.
Objectives: Subbranches of Y-chromosome haplogroup C2a-L1373 are founding paternal lineages in northern Asia and Native American populations. Our objective was to investigate C2a-L1373 differentiation in northern Asia and its implications for Native American origins. Materials and Methods: Sequences of rare subbranches (n = 43) and ancient individuals (n = 37) of C2a-L1373 (including P39 and MPB373), were used to construct phylogenetic trees with age estimation by BEAST software. Results: C2a-L1373 expanded rapidly approximately 17.7,000-14.3,000 years ago (kya) after the last glacial maximum (LGM), generating numerous sublineages which became founding paternal lineages of modern northern Asian and Native American populations (C2a-P39 and C2a-MPB373). The divergence pattern supports possible initiation of differentiation in low latitude regions of northern Asia and northward diffusion after the LGM. There is a substantial gap between the divergence times of C2a-MPB373 (approximately 22.4 or 17.7 kya) and C2a-P39 (approximately 14.3 kya), indicating two possible migration waves. Discussion: We discussed the decreasing time interval of "Beringian standstill" (2.5 ky or smaller) and its reduced significance. We also discussed the multiple possibilities for the peopling of the Americas: the "Long-term Beringian standstill model," the "Short-term Beringian standstill model," and the "Multiple waves of migration model." Our results support the argument from ancient DNA analyses that the direct Jin Sun and Peng-Cheng Ma contributed equally to this study.
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