PLoS ONE 4(8): e6545. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0006545Deep Rooting In-Situ Expansion of mtDNA Haplogroup R8 in South Asia
Kumarasamy Thangaraj et al.
Abstract
Background
The phylogeny of the indigenous Indian-specific mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups have been determined and refined in previous reports. Similar to mtDNA superhaplogroups M and N, a profusion of reports are also available for superhaplogroup R. However, there is a dearth of information on South Asian subhaplogroups in particular, including R8. Therefore, we ought to access the genealogy and pre-historic expansion of haplogroup R8 which is considered one of the autochthonous lineages of South Asia.
Methodology/Principal Findings
Upon screening the mtDNA of 5,836 individuals belonging to 104 distinct ethnic populations of the Indian subcontinent, we found 54 individuals with the HVS-I motif that defines the R8 haplogroup. Complete mtDNA sequencing of these 54 individuals revealed two deep-rooted subclades: R8a and R8b. Furthermore, these subclades split into several fine subclades. An isofrequency contour map detected the highest frequency of R8 in the state of Orissa. Spearman's rank correlation analysis suggests significant correlation of R8 occurrence with geography.
Conclusions/Significance
The coalescent age of newly-characterized subclades of R8, R8a (15.4±7.2 Kya) and R8b (25.7±10.2 Kya) indicates that the initial maternal colonization of this haplogroup occurred during the middle and upper Paleolithic period, roughly around 40 to 45 Kya. These results signify that the southern part of Orissa currently inhabited by Munda speakers is likely the origin of these autochthonous maternal deep-rooted haplogroups. Our high-resolution study on the genesis of R8 haplogroup provides ample evidence of its deep-rooted ancestry among the Orissa (Austro-Asiatic) tribes.
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2 comments:
more proof of southern coastal migration theory?.
Is there any other papers on R expansion in other regions?
"more proof of southern coastal migration theory?"
Several aspects make it more likely any migration is from the other direction.
"the initial maternal colonization of this haplogroup occurred during the middle and upper Paleolithic period, roughly around 40 to 45 Kya".
That's at least 10,000 years after humans had reached Australia, but getting close to the time when people were beginning to move further into the Pacific beyond New Guinea.
"the genesis of R8 haplogroup provides ample evidence of its deep-rooted ancestry among the Orissa (Austro-Asiatic) tribes".
Austro-Asiatic is usually considered to be intrusive into India, from the east.
"These results signify that the southern part of Orissa currently inhabited by Munda speakers is likely the origin of these autochthonous maternal deep-rooted haplogroups".
The map is actually a bit misleading because it cuts out Bangladesh. This makes the coastline between Orissa and SE Asia look much longer than it actually is. In fact Orissa would be the most likely landfall beyond the Ganges/Brahmaputra Delta for a group travelling along the coast from SE Asia.
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