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Ancient voyaging and Polynesian origins.
- Source :
-
American journal of human genetics [Am J Hum Genet] 2011 Feb 11; Vol. 88 (2), pp. 239-47. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Feb 03. - Publication Year :
- 2011
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Abstract
- The "Polynesian motif" defines a lineage of human mtDNA that is restricted to Austronesian-speaking populations and is almost fixed in Polynesians. It is widely thought to support a rapid dispersal of maternal lineages from Taiwan ~4000 years ago (4 ka), but the chronological resolution of existing control-region data is poor, and an East Indonesian origin has also been proposed. By analyzing 157 complete mtDNA genomes, we show that the motif itself most likely originated >6 ka in the vicinity of the Bismarck Archipelago, and its immediate ancestor is >8 ka old and virtually restricted to Near Oceania. This indicates that Polynesian maternal lineages from Island Southeast Asia gained a foothold in Near Oceania much earlier than dispersal from either Taiwan or Indonesia 3-4 ka would predict. However, we find evidence in minor lineages for more recent two-way maternal gene flow between Island Southeast Asia and Near Oceania, likely reflecting movements along a "voyaging corridor" between them, as previously proposed on archaeological grounds. Small-scale mid-Holocene movements from Island Southeast Asia likely transmitted Austronesian languages to the long-established Southeast Asian colonies in the Bismarcks carrying the Polynesian motif, perhaps also providing the impetus for the expansion into Polynesia.<br /> (Copyright © 2011 The American Society of Human Genetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1537-6605
- Volume :
- 88
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- American journal of human genetics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 21295281
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2011.01.009