Y genetic data support the Neolithic demic diffusion model

Chikhi, Lounès; Nichols, Richard A.; Barbujani, Guido; Beaumont, Mark A.

doi:10.1073/pnas.162158799

Cited by 266 publications

(214 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Therefore, the genetic make-up of the Neolithic Basques is likely to mirror the general genetic signature of Neolithic populations in Europe. [17][18][19][20][21][22] Although the prevalence of the À13910T allele in the modern Basque population reaches 66%, 2 and the selection coefficient for lactase persistence has been shown to be relatively high in the Iberian Peninsula, 23 the processes that shaped this process are controversial.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low prevalence of lactase persistence in Neolithic South-West Europe

et al. 2012

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The ability of humans to digest the milk component lactose after weaning requires persistent production of the lactoseconverting enzyme lactase. Genetic variation in the promoter of the lactase gene (LCT) is known to be associated with lactase production and is therefore a genetic determinant for either lactase deficiency or lactase persistence during adulthood. Large differences in this genetic trait exist between populations in Africa and the Middle-East on the one hand, and European populations on the other; this is thought to be due to evolutionary pressures exerted by consumption of dairy products in Neolithic populations in Europe. In this study, we have investigated lactase persistence of 26 out of 46 individuals from Late Neolithic through analysis of ancient South-West European DNA samples, obtained from two burials in the Basque Country originating from 5000 to 4500 YBP. This investigation revealed that these populations had an average frequency of lactase persistence of 27%, much lower than in the modern Basque population, which is compatible with the concept that Neolithic and post-Neolithic evolutionary pressures by cattle domestication and consumption of dairy products led to high lactase persistence in Southern European populations. Given the heterogeneity in the frequency of the lactase persistence allele in ancient Europe, we suggest that in Southern Europe the selective advantage of lactose assimilation in adulthood most likely took place from standing population variation, after cattle domestication, at a post-Neolithic time when fresh milk consumption was already fully adopted as a consequence of a cultural influence.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low prevalence of lactase persistence in Neolithic South-West Europe

et al. 2012

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“…The use of a mosaic model of biological and cultural change also helps reconcile the conflicting results often obtained from analyses of modern DNA (e.g. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]) and from archaeological studies (e.g. [4,26]), whereby studies suggest either demic or cultural diffusion as being the principal basis for change.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These contrasting demographic models are often referred to as the cultural diffusion and demic diffusion models, respectively [2,3]. Archaeological studies of Mesolithic and Neolithic sites [4] and analyses of modern European genetic variation [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] have yielded diverse and often conflicting conclusions regarding this process. Recent ancient DNA studies have also provided inconsistent results regarding the biological relationship between Mesolithic and Neolithic populations [13 -19], suggesting that the demographic transition was not uniform across Europe but rather represents a mosaic of population replacement, admixture and adoption of farming practices by indigenous populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Craniometric data support a mosaic model of demic and cultural Neolithic diffusion to outlying regions of Europe

Cramon‐Taubadel

Pinhasi

2011

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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The extent to which the transition to agriculture in Europe was the result of biological (demic) diffusion from the Near East or the adoption of farming practices by indigenous hunter -gatherers is subject to continuing debate. Thus far, archaeological study and the analysis of modern and ancient European DNA have yielded inconclusive results regarding these hypotheses. Here we test these ideas using an extensive craniometric dataset representing 30 hunter -gatherer and farming populations. Pairwise population craniometric distance was compared with temporally controlled geographical models representing evolutionary hypotheses of biological and cultural transmission. The results show that, following the physical dispersal of Near Eastern/Anatolian farmers into central Europe, two biological lineages were established with limited gene flow between them. Farming communities spread across Europe, while hunter -gatherer communities located in outlying geographical regions adopted some cultural elements from the farmers. Therefore, the transition to farming in Europe did not involve the complete replacement of indigenous hunter-gatherer populations despite significant gene flow from the Southwest Asia. This study suggests that a mosaic process of dispersal of farmers and their ideas was operating in outlying regions of Europe, thereby reconciling previously conflicting results obtained from genetic and archaeological studies.

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“…Several Y chromosome studies supported the Neolithic demic diffusion model [17,23,24], while most mtDNA and some Y chromosomal studies have proposed a continuity of Upper Palaeolithic lineages [20,21,25,26]. The contrasting mtDNA and Y chromosomal evidence has been explained by differences in evolutionary scenarios, such as sex-biased migration [27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tracing the genetic origin of Europe's first farmers reveals insights into their social organization

et al. 2015

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Farming was established in Central Europe by the Linearbandkeramik culture (LBK), a well-investigated archaeological horizon, which emerged in the Carpathian Basin, in today's Hungary. However, the genetic background of the LBK genesis is yet unclear. Here we present 9 Y chromosomal and 84 mitochondrial DNA profiles from Mesolithic, Neolithic Starčevo and LBK sites (seventh/sixth millennia BC) from the Carpathian Basin and southeastern Europe. We detect genetic continuity of both maternal and paternal elements during the initial spread of agriculture, and confirm the substantial genetic impact of early southeastern European and Carpathian Basin farming cultures on Central European populations of the sixth-fourth millennia BC. Comprehensive Y chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA population genetic analyses demonstrate a clear affinity of the early farmers to the modern Near East and Caucasus, tracing the expansion from that region through southeastern Europe and the Carpathian Basin into Central Europe. However, our results also reveal contrasting patterns for male and female genetic diversity in the European Neolithic, suggesting a system of patrilineal descent and patrilocal residential rules among the early farmers.

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Y genetic data support the Neolithic demic diffusion model

Cited by 266 publications

References 31 publications

Low prevalence of lactase persistence in Neolithic South-West Europe

Low prevalence of lactase persistence in Neolithic South-West Europe

Craniometric data support a mosaic model of demic and cultural Neolithic diffusion to outlying regions of Europe

Tracing the genetic origin of Europe's first farmers reveals insights into their social organization

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