In this paper, we present a study of genetic variation in sub-Saharan Africa, which is based on published and unpublished data on fast-evolving (hypervariable region 1 of mitochondrial DNA and six microsatellites of Y chromosome) and slow-evolving (haplogroup frequencies) polymorphisms of mtDNA and Y chromosome. Our study reveals a striking difference in the genetic structure of food-producer (Bantu and Sudanic speakers) and hunter-gatherer populations (Pygmies, !Kung, and Hadza). In fact, the ratio of mtDNA to Y-chromosome Nu is substantially higher in food producers than in hunter-gatherers as determined by fast-evolving polymorphisms (1.76 versus 0.11). This finding indicates that the two population groups differ substantially in female and male migration rate and/or effective size. The difference also persists when linguistically homogeneous populations are used and outlier populations are eliminated (1.78 vs 0.19) or when the jacknife procedure is applied to a paired population data set (1.32 to 7.84 versus 0.14 to 0.66). The higher ratio of mtDNA to Y-chromosome Nv in food producers than in hunter-gatherers is further confirmed by the use of slow-evolving polymorphisms (1.59 to 7.91 versus 0.12 to 0.35). To explain these results, we propose a model that integrates demographic and genetic aspects and incorporates ethnographic knowledge. In such a model, the asymmetric gene flow, polyginy, and patrilocality play an important role in differentiating the genetic structure of sub-Saharan populations. The existence of an asymmetric gene flow is supported by the phylogeographic features of mtDNA and Y-chromosome haplogroups found in the two population groups. The role of polyginy and patrilocality is sustained by the evidence of a differential pressure of genetic drift and gene flow on maternal and paternal lineages of food producers and hunter-gatherers that is revealed through the analysis of mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal intrapopulational variation.

Variation of female and male lineages in sub-Saharan populations: the importance of sociocultural factors / DESTRO-BISOL, Giovanni; Donati, Francesco; Coia, Valentina; I., Boschi; F., Verginelli; Caglia', Alessandra; A., Caglia; S., Tofanelli; Spedini, Gabriella; C., Capelli. - In: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION. - ISSN 0737-4038. - STAMPA. - 21:9(2004), pp. 1673-1682. [10.1093/molbev/msh186]

Variation of female and male lineages in sub-Saharan populations: the importance of sociocultural factors.

DESTRO-BISOL, Giovanni;DONATI, Francesco;COIA, Valentina;CAGLIA', Alessandra;SPEDINI, Gabriella;
2004

Abstract

In this paper, we present a study of genetic variation in sub-Saharan Africa, which is based on published and unpublished data on fast-evolving (hypervariable region 1 of mitochondrial DNA and six microsatellites of Y chromosome) and slow-evolving (haplogroup frequencies) polymorphisms of mtDNA and Y chromosome. Our study reveals a striking difference in the genetic structure of food-producer (Bantu and Sudanic speakers) and hunter-gatherer populations (Pygmies, !Kung, and Hadza). In fact, the ratio of mtDNA to Y-chromosome Nu is substantially higher in food producers than in hunter-gatherers as determined by fast-evolving polymorphisms (1.76 versus 0.11). This finding indicates that the two population groups differ substantially in female and male migration rate and/or effective size. The difference also persists when linguistically homogeneous populations are used and outlier populations are eliminated (1.78 vs 0.19) or when the jacknife procedure is applied to a paired population data set (1.32 to 7.84 versus 0.14 to 0.66). The higher ratio of mtDNA to Y-chromosome Nv in food producers than in hunter-gatherers is further confirmed by the use of slow-evolving polymorphisms (1.59 to 7.91 versus 0.12 to 0.35). To explain these results, we propose a model that integrates demographic and genetic aspects and incorporates ethnographic knowledge. In such a model, the asymmetric gene flow, polyginy, and patrilocality play an important role in differentiating the genetic structure of sub-Saharan populations. The existence of an asymmetric gene flow is supported by the phylogeographic features of mtDNA and Y-chromosome haplogroups found in the two population groups. The role of polyginy and patrilocality is sustained by the evidence of a differential pressure of genetic drift and gene flow on maternal and paternal lineages of food producers and hunter-gatherers that is revealed through the analysis of mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal intrapopulational variation.
2004
hunter-gatherers; y chromosome; mtdna; food producers; sub-saharan africa; sociocultural factors
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Variation of female and male lineages in sub-Saharan populations: the importance of sociocultural factors / DESTRO-BISOL, Giovanni; Donati, Francesco; Coia, Valentina; I., Boschi; F., Verginelli; Caglia', Alessandra; A., Caglia; S., Tofanelli; Spedini, Gabriella; C., Capelli. - In: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION. - ISSN 0737-4038. - STAMPA. - 21:9(2004), pp. 1673-1682. [10.1093/molbev/msh186]
File allegati a questo prodotto
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/238670
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 29
  • Scopus 109
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 103
social impact