Genome-Wide Characterization of Arabian Peninsula Populations: Shedding Light on the History of a Fundamental Bridge between Continents

Fernandes, Verónica; Brucato, Nicolas; Ferreira, Joana; Pedro, Nicole; Cavadas, Bruno; Ricaut, François‐Xavier; Alshamali, Farida; Pereira, Luı́sa

doi:10.1093/molbev/msz005

Cited by 40 publications

(88 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…In addition, it is evident, in conjunction with 70 African mitogenomes, that the sub-haplogroup L3x1b clusters with an Ethiopian sample confirming the ancient step out in the region out of African. Furthermore, we observe admixture among geographical regions in the UAE, which is also observed in previous studies [ 12 , 60 ]; Figure 3 B depicts admixture results where a clear admixture event at K = 7 number ancestral population can be seen. The lack of population structure is also addressed using a DAPC analysis ( Figure 3 C), which demonstrate non-clustering of different cities and geographical regions.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

Genomic Landscape of the Mitochondrial Genome in the United Arab Emirates Native Population

Al‐Jasmi

Vijayan

Sudalaimuthuasari

et al. 2020

Genes

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In order to assess the genomic landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) mitogenome, we sequenced and analyzed the complete genomes of 232 Emirate females mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) within and compared those to Africa. We investigated the prevalence of haplogroups, genetic variation, heteroplasmy, and demography among the UAE native population with diverse ethnicity and relatively high degree of consanguinity. We identified 968 mtDNA variants and high-resolution 15 haplogroups. Our results show that the UAE population received enough gene flow from Africa represented by the haplogroups L, U6, and M1, and that 16.8% of the population has an eastern provenance, depicted by the U haplogroup and the M Indian haplogroup (12%), whereas western Eurasian and Asian haplogroups (R, J, and K) represent 11 to 15%. Interestingly, we found an ancient migration present through the descendant of L (N1 and X) and other sub-haplogroups (L2a1d and L4) and (L3x1b), which is one of the oldest evolutionary histories outside of Africa. Our demographic analysis shows no population structure among populations, with low diversity and no population differentiation. In addition, we show that the transmission of mtDNA in the UAE population is under purifying selection with hints of diversifying selection on ATP8 gene. Last, our results show a population bottleneck, which coincides with the Western European contact (1400 ybp). Our study of the UAE mitogenomes suggest that several maternal lineage migratory episodes liking African–Asian corridors occurred since the first modern human emerges out of Africa.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

Genomic Landscape of the Mitochondrial Genome in the United Arab Emirates Native Population

Al‐Jasmi

Vijayan

Sudalaimuthuasari

et al. 2020

Genes

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“…The African influence has also extended into presentday India, as evidenced by a study that describes a population in the western part of India that has been substantially influenced by African populations, specifically Bantu-speakers (Narang et al, 2011). Similarly, a recent study (Fernandes et al, 2019) has shown a dominance of sub-Saharan African admixture in the west of the Arabian Peninsula, whereas South Asian and Levantine/European influence was stronger in the east.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Genetic Diversity and Low Stratification of the Population of the United Arab Emirates

et al. 2020

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With high consanguinity rates on the Arabian Peninsula, it would not have been unexpected if the population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was shown to be relatively homogenous. However, this study of 1000 UAE nationals provided a contrasting perspective, one of a relatively heterogeneous population. Located at the apex of Europe, Asia, and Africa, the observed diversity could be explained by a plethora of migration patterns since the first Out-of-Africa movement. A strategy to explore the extent of genetic variation of the population of the UAE is presented. The first step involved a comprehensive population stratification study that was instructive for subsequent whole genome sequencing (WGS) of suitable representatives (which is described elsewhere). When these UAE data were compared to previous smaller studies from the region, the findings were consistent with a population that is a diverse and admixed group of people. However, rather than sharp and distinctive clusters, cluster analysis reveals low levels of stratification throughout the population. UAE emirates exhibit high within-Emirate-distance/among-Emirate distance ratios. Supervised admixture analysis showed a continuous gradient of ancestral populations, suggesting that admixture on the south eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula occurred gradually. When visualized using a unique technique that combined admixture ratios and principal component analysis (PCA), unappreciated diversity was revealed while mitigating projection bias of conventional PCA. We observe low population stratification in the UAE in terms of homozygosity versus separation cluster coefficients. This holds for the UAE in a global context as well as for isolated cluster analysis of the Emirati birthplaces. However, the subtle clustering observed in the Emirates reflects geographic proximity and historic migration events. The analytical strategy used here highlights the complementary nature of data from genotype array and WGS for anthropological studies. Specifically, genotype array data were instructive to select representative subjects for WGS. Furthermore, from the 2.3 million allele frequencies obtained from

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“…Studies on modern Bedouins elsewhere, e.g. in Qatar report them as 'coldspots' of admixture in the Peninsula compared to other populations 45 . It is suggested that the Negev Bedouins originate from a small founder population and most of their ancestors migrated from the Arabian Peninsula to the Negev and Sinai regions around 700 CE, i.e., shortly after the spread of Islam 46 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioarchaeological analysis of one of the earliest Islamic burials in the Levant

Srigyan

Bolívar

Ureña

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The Middle East plays a central role in human history harbouring a vast diversity of ethnic, cultural and religious groups. However, much remains to be understood about past and present genomic diversity in this region. Here, we present for the first time, a multidisciplinary bioarchaeological analysis of two individuals dated to late 7th and early 8th centuries from Tell Qarassa, an open-air site in modern-day Syria. Radiocarbon dates, religious and cultural burial evidence indicate that this site represents one of the earliest Islamic Arab burials in the Levant during the Late Antiquity period. Interestingly, we found genomic similarity to a genotyped group of modern-day Bedouins and Saudi rather than to most neighbouring Levantine groups. This is highlighted through substantial Neolithic Levant ancestry in our samples, inviting an alternative scenario of long-term continuity in this region. This raises questions about the influence of ancient populations and historical migrations to genetic structure in the Middle East. As our study represents the first genomic analysis of an early Islamic burial in the Levant, we discuss our findings and possible historic scenarios in light of forces such as genetic drift and their possible interaction with religious and cultural processes.

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Genome-Wide Characterization of Arabian Peninsula Populations: Shedding Light on the History of a Fundamental Bridge between Continents

Cited by 40 publications

References 80 publications

Genomic Landscape of the Mitochondrial Genome in the United Arab Emirates Native Population

Genomic Landscape of the Mitochondrial Genome in the United Arab Emirates Native Population

Genetic Diversity and Low Stratification of the Population of the United Arab Emirates

Bioarchaeological analysis of one of the earliest Islamic burials in the Levant

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