MtDNA and Y‐chromosome Variation in Kurdish Groups

Abstract

In order to investigate the origins and relationships of Kurdish-speaking groups, mtDNA HV1 sequences, eleven Y chromosome bi-allelic markers, and 9 Y-STR loci were analyzed among three Kurdish groups: Zazaki and Kurmanji speakers from Turkey, and Kurmanji speakers from Georgia. When compared with published data from other Kurdish groups and from European, Caucasian, and West and Central Asian groups, Kurdish groups are most similar genetically to other West Asian groups, and most distant from Central Asian groups, for both mtDNA and the Y-chromosome. However, Kurdish groups show a closer relationship with European groups than with Caucasian groups based on mtDNA, but the opposite based on the Y-chromosome, indicating some differences in their maternal and paternal histories. The genetic data indicate that the Georgian Kurdish group experienced a bottleneck effect during their migration to the Caucasus, and that they have not had detectable admixture with their geographic neighbours in Georgia. Our results also do not support the hypothesis of the origin of the Zazaki-speaking group being in northern Iran; genetically they are more similar to other Kurdish groups. Genetic analyses of recent events, such as the origins and migrations of Kurdish-speaking groups, can therefore lead to new insights into such migrations.

Isolates in a corridor of migrations: a high-resolution analysis of Y-chromosome variation in Jordan

“…Although this haplogroup was not detected in a sample of 52 chromosomes from different Iranian regions and only at 2% in Iranians from Samarkand , it has been recently found in Teheran and Isfahan with a mean frequency of 17.6% (Nasidze et al 2004). There were also appreciable differences for several markers, including M170, among Kurdish populations that could not clearly be attributed to geography or language (Nasidze et al 2005). Small sample sizes for some of the populations could be one of the causes of that heterogeneity.…”

“…Previous continental-range studies detected broad and smooth haplogroup frequency clines (Malaspina et al 1998;Rosser et al 2000;Semino et al 2000;Underhill et al 2000;Karafet et al 2001;Wells et al 2001). However, studies focused on discrete regions (Stefan et al 2001;Weale et al 2001;Qamar et al 2002;Zerjal et al 2002;Di Giacomo et al 2003;Cinnioglu et al 2004;Flores et al 2004;Nasidze et al 2004Nasidze et al , 2005 and on specific haplogroups (Cruciani et al 2004;Di Giacomo et al 2004;Rootsi et al 2004;Semino et al 2004) have found geographic barriers, strong microdifferentiation, and additional minor clines, stressing the importance of local isolation and secondary diffusions in the making of the modern Y-chromosome landscape.…”

“…5 3 . 4 G-M201 5.9 -2.5 9.5 10.9 2.5 2.5 -2.9 2.7 2.8 2.0 - (2000); (11) Semino et al (2000); (12) Hammer et al (2000); (13) Nebel et al (2001); (14) Zerjal et al (2002); (15) Sanchez et al (2005); (16) Di Giacomo et al (2003); (17) Kivisild et al (2002); (18) Nasidze et al (2005) c References before the slash were used for basic frequency estimation and sample sizes of the populations; references after the slash were used for further subhaplogroup subdivisions Biallelic markers A total of 46 binary markers have been genotyped (Fig. 1).…”

Y-chromosome distributions among populations in Northwest China identify significant contribution from Central Asian pastoralists and lesser influence of western Eurasians

“…However, the frequency of G-M201 largely reduced in West Asia, India and Pakistan. 31,32,57 Haplogroup G-M201 was detected in as few as five individuals from our three northwestern populations. H-M69 was an emerging marker during the second great human migration from Middle East into Indian subcontinent, with a supposed history of 25 000 years.…”

“…Haplogroup R2-M124 is infrequent, but informative in Central Asia, Anatolia, Kurdistan, and particularly in Pakistan and India. 7,14,[31][32][33] In this study, there were merely three representatives of R2-M124 observed (one from Kazakh and the other two from Bao'an). All of the YAP + associated individuals were designated into lineage D for the observation of the diagnostic marker M174.…”