title: Mitochondrial DNA variation and the origin of the Europeans.
abstract: Sequences from the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region were analyzed in nine European and West Asian populations. They showed low genetic heterogeneity when compared to world populations. However, a Caucasoid population tree displayed a robust east-west gradient. Within-population diversity (ascertained through various parameters) and mean pairwise differences declined from east to west, in a pattern compatible with ancient population migration and expansion from the Middle East. Estimated expansion times indicate a Paleolithic event with important differences among populations according to their geographical position and thus a slower tempo than previously believed. The replacement of Neanderthals by anatomically modern humans, fully compatible with the present results, may have been a slower and more complex process than cultural change suggests.
authors.affiliation: Facultat de Biologia (Antropologia), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Comas
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Calafell
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mateu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez-Lezaun
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bertranpetit
mesh_terms: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000145:classification; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005060:Europe; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial