Population genetic relationships between Mediterranean populations determined by HLA allele distribution and a historic perspective

Abstract

HLA genes allele distribution has been studied in Mediterranean and sub-Saharan populations. Their relatedness has been tested by genetic distances, neighbour-joining dendrograms and correspondence analyses. The population genetic relationships have been compared with the history of the classical populations living in the area. A revision of the historic postulates would have to be undertaken, particularly in the cases when genetics and history are overtly discordant. HLA genomics shows that: 1) Greeks share an important part of their genetic pool with sub-Saharan Africans (Ethiopians and west Africans) also supported by Chr 7 Markers. The gene flow from Black Africa to Greece may have occurred in Pharaonic times or when Saharan people emigrated after the present hyperarid conditions were established (5000 years B.C.). 2) Turks (Anatolians) do not significantly differ from other Mediterraneans, indicating that while the Asians Turks carried out an invasion with cultural significance (language), it is not genetically detectable. 3) Kurds and Armenians are genetically very close to Turks and other Middle East populations. 4) There is no HLA genetic trace of the so called Aryan invasion, which has only been defined on doubtful linguistic bases. 5) Iberians, including Basques, are related to north-African Berbers. 6) Present-day Algerian and Moroccan urban and country people show an indistinguishable Berber HLA profile.

HLA genes in Atlantic Celtic populations: are Celts Iberians?

“…In contrast Iberia/North Africa genetic/cultural exchange is well documented (Arnaiz-Villena et al, 2002;Arnaiz-Villena and Lubell 2000;Jakes et al 1997;Currat et al 2010;Campmajo and Crabol 2009;Botigué et al 2013). …”

“…On the other hand, it is feasible that Iberians and Paleo North African populations (Arnaiz-Villena et al, 2002;Arnaiz-Villena and Lubell, 2000;Jakes et al, 1997;Currat et al 2010, Campmajo andCrabol, 2009;Botigué et al 2013) migrated also to Iberia and to Canary Islands (Arnaiz-Villena et al 2015). There are two anthropological types of Guanches (First Canary Islands Inhabitants) (Braem, 2010;González, 1992).…”

Origin of Ancient Canary Islanders Guanches: presence of Atlantic/Iberian HLA and Y chromosome genes and Ancient Iberian language

“…Anthropology, Culture and Language must be taken into the particular genetic context (Arnaiz-Villena et al, 2009;Arnaiz-Villena et al, 2014). Also genes and languages do not correlate (Arnaiz-Villena et al, 2002, Arnaiz-Villena et al, 2009Arnaiz-Villena et al, 2014).…”

“…However, North African people (genes) also migrated to Iberia through Gibraltar Strait Arnaiz-Villena et al, 2002;Botigue et al, 2013).…”

“…Several hypotheses have been put forward. North African migration to Canary Islands when the hyperarid conditions in Sahara were established is hypothesized (Arnaiz-Villena et al, 2002).…”