Restricted geographic distribution for Y-Q* paragroup in South America

BAILLIET G; RAMALLO V; MUZZIO M; GARCÍA A,; SANTOS MR; ALFARO EL; DIPIERRI JE; SALCEDA S; CARNESE FR; BRAVI CM; BIANCHI NO; DEMARCHI DA

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

Wiley-Blackwell

Lugar: USA; Año: 2009 vol. 140 p. 578 - 582

0002-9483

We analyzed 21 paragroup Q* Y chromosomes from South American  aboriginal and urban populations. Our aims were to evaluate the phylogenetic status, geographic  distribution and genetic diversity in these groups of chromosomes and compare the degree of  genetic variation  in relation to Q1a3a haplotypes.  All Q* chromosomes from our series and 5 samples from North American Q* presented the derivate state for M346, that is present upstream to M3,  and determined Q1a3* paragroup.  We found a restrictive geographic distribution and low  frequency of Q1a3* in South America. We assumed  that this low frequency could be  reflecting extreme drift effects. However, several estimates of gene diversity do not  support the existence  of a severe bottleneck.  The mean expected haplotype diversity was similar for South American Q1a3* and Q1a3a (0.478, and 0.501, respectively). The analysis of previous reports  from other research groups and the present study shows the highest frequencies of Q* for the West Corner, and the Grand Chaco regions of South America. At present, there is no information  on whether the phylogenetic status of Q* paragoup described in previous reports is similar to that  of Q1a3* paragroup though our results support this possibility.