Back to Search
Start Over
The key role of patrilineal inheritance in shaping the genetic variation of Dagestan highlanders.
- Source :
- Journal of Human Genetics; Dec2009, Vol. 54 Issue 12, p689-694, 6p, 2 Diagrams, 2 Charts, 2 Graphs, 1 Map
- Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- The Caucasus region is a complex cultural and ethnic mosaic, comprising populations that speak Caucasian, Indo-European and Altaic languages. Isolated mountain villages (auls) in Dagestan still preserve high level of genetic and cultural diversity and have patriarchal societies with a long history of isolation. The aim of this study was to understand the genetic history of five Dagestan highland auls with distinct ethnic affiliation (Avars, Chechens-Akkins, Kubachians, Laks, Tabasarans) using markers on the male-specific region of the Y chromosome. The groups analyzed here are all Muslims but speak different languages all belonging to the Nakh-Dagestanian linguistic family. The results show that the Dagestan ethnic groups share a common Y-genetic background, with deep-rooted genealogies and rare alleles, dating back to an early phase in the post-glacial recolonization of Europe. Geography and stochastic factors, such as founder effect and long-term genetic drift, driven by the rigid structuring of societies in groups of patrilineal descent, most likely acted as mutually reinforcing key factors in determining the high degree of Y-genetic divergence among these ethnic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14345161
- Volume :
- 54
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Human Genetics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 47126876
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/jhg.2009.94