The Dutch Y-chromosomal landscape

Abstract

Previous studies indicated existing, albeit limited, genetic-geographic population substructure in the Dutch population based on genome-wide data and a lack of this for mitochondrial SNP based data. Despite the aforementioned studies, Y-chromosomal SNP data from the Netherlands remain scarce and do not cover the territory of the Netherlands well enough to allow a reliable investigation of genetic-geographic population substructure. Here we provide the first substantial dataset of detailed spatial Y-chromosomal haplogroup information in 2085 males collected across the Netherlands and supplemented with previously published data from northern Belgium. We found Y-chromosomal evidence for genetic-geographic population substructure, and several Y-haplogroups demonstrating significant clinal frequency distributions in different directions. By means of prediction surface maps we could visualize (complex) distribution patterns of individual Y-haplogroups in detail. These results highlight the value of a micro-geographic approach and are of great use for forensic and epidemiological investigations and our understanding of the Dutch population history. Moreover, the previously noted absence of genetic-geographic population substructure in the Netherlands based on mitochondrial DNA in contrast to our Y-chromosome results, hints at different population histories for women and men in the Netherlands.

The potential influence of human Y-chromosome haplogroup on COVID-19 prevalence and mortality

“…The phylogenetic resolution of the Y-chromosome haplogroup (YHG) tree is now sufficiently high to be able to detect geographic patterns on a micro-regional scale [ 3 , 4 ]. A critical role for genetic variation in chromosome Y in regulating susceptibility to influenza A virus infection and in augmenting pathogenic immune responses in the lung has been demonstrated in a murine model [ 5 ].…”

The Early Mediaeval Slav-German border (Limes Sorabicus) in the light of research into Y-chromosome polymorphism in contemporary and historical German populations

“…In connection with the clear differences noted for shares of Haplogroup R1a carriers among the regional centres of Eastern Germany (R1a around 30%) as opposed to typical regional centres of Western Germany (Münster and Mainz) plus Belgium and The Netherlands (R1a on 4-8%), we may further note how a high share of carriers of Haplogroup Sources: Kasperaviciūte et al 2004, Immel et al 2005, Kayser et al 2005, Rodig et al 2007, Rębała et al 2013, Larmuseau 2015and Altena et al 2019 R1a characterises neighbouring Slav peoples. It accounts for 57% of Poles, 53% of Belarusians, 47% of Russians, 45% of Slovaks, 44% of Ukrainians, 38% of Slovenes and 37% of Czechs (Kayser et al, 2005;Kushniarevich et al, 2013Kushniarevich et al, , 2015.…”

“…In the west, in such cities as Mainz and Münster, the share accounted for by carriers may be of around 8% (Kayser et al, 2005). The same is true in areas coming within the Germany of the Middle Ages that are today Belgian (Larmuseau et al, 2015) or Dutch (Altena et al 2019), with R1a in those populations at a level of just 4% (Tab. 1).…”

The Similar-Sounding Surnames of Haplogroup R-BY140757

“…An analysis of approximately 2600 men from West-Europe (including England, but not Ireland, Scotland, or Wales) found the highest R1b-L21 frequency was found in Bretagne (29% of all Bretons), followed by London (21%), Paris (17%), and northern Portugal (11%); the Paris result due to 'Bretons' massive immigration towards the Capital since the beginning of the twentieth century' (Lucotte, 2015). In addition, R1b-L21 sub-haplotypes are also found elsewhere in West-Europe, such as Spain (Martínez-Cruz, 2012) and the Netherlands (Altena, 2020).…”