Clan, language, and migration history has shaped genetic diversity in Haida and Tlingit populations from Southeast Alaska

Abstract

The linguistically distinctive Haida and Tlingit tribes of Southeast Alaska are known for their rich material culture, complex social organization, and elaborate ritual practices. However, much less is known about these tribes from a population genetic perspective. For this reason, we analyzed mtDNA and Y-chromosome variation in Haida and Tlingit populations to elucidate several key issues pertaining to the history of this region. These included the genetic relationships of Haida and Tlingit to other indigenous groups in Alaska and Canada; the relationship between linguistic and genetic data for populations assigned to the Na-Dene linguistic family, specifically, the inclusion of Haida with Athapaskan, Eyak, and Tlingit in the language family; the possible influence of matrilineal clan structure on patterns of genetic variation in Haida and Tlingit populations; and the impact of European entry into the region on the genetic diversity of these indigenous communities. Our analysis indicates that, while sharing a “northern” genetic profile, the Haida and the Tlingit are genetically distinctive from each other. In addition, Tlingit groups themselves differ across their geographic range, in part due to interactions of Tlingit tribes with Athapaskan and Eyak groups to the north. The data also reveal a strong influence of maternal clan identity on mtDNA variation in these groups, as well as the significant influence of non-native males on Y-chromosome diversity. These results yield new details about the histories of the Haida and Tlingit tribes in this region.

Ancient individuals from the North American Northwest Coast reveal 10,000 years of regional genetic continuity

“…The D statistic did not reveal a signal of gene flow between Arctic populations (Inuit and Yup'ik) and either the modern or ancient Northwest Coast populations compared with Shuká Káa (Table S2, tests [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. However, comparing the more recent ancient individuals, the tree was rejected with 939, 302, and 443, indicating greater affinity toward the Northwest Coast populations than the Arctic (Fig.…”

“…The individual supporting this scenario is Shuká Káa, who belongs to mtDNA haplogroup D4h3a. Although both Anzick-1 and 939 also belong to this mtDNA haplogroup, later ancient and modern individuals of the Northwest Coast do not (13,22). Despite belonging to different mtDNA haplogroups, Shuká Káa exhibits a close nuclear DNA relationship with 302 (∼2,500 cal y B.P.)…”

Y-chromosome analysis reveals genetic divergence and new founding native lineages in Athapaskan- and Eskimoan-speaking populations

“…Furthermore, a handful of C-M217 Y chromosomes without the P39 marker were found in southeast Alaska and Colombia, South America (23,27,46,47). The spread of C-P39 involved mostly Athapaskan speakers and was associated with a second wave of expansion, which is the same as Q1a6 for Eskimoan speakers.…”

“…The low diversity of the Tłįchǫ is likely caused by a recent founder event. Interestingly, when comparisons were expanded to include populations from southeast Alaska, the Tlingit had far greater diversity within this haplogroup, possibly as a result of their geographic location and increased interaction with other Native Americans (27).…”

“…This SNP, named NWT01, is a C to G transversion at np 65 in the amplicon (Y position 2,888,083 in Build 37.2). Comparative data came from published literature (Table S2) (22,27,(48)(49)(50). Statistical analysis included estimates of haplotype diversity, mean pairwise differences and analysis of molecular variance using Arlequin v3.11 (51), and Vp estimates assessed as in the work by Kayser et al (52).…”