title: High-resolution phylogenetic analysis of southeastern Europe traces major episodes of paternal gene flow among Slavic populations.
abstract: The extent and nature of southeastern Europe (SEE) paternal genetic contribution to the European genetic landscape were explored based on a high-resolution Y chromosome analysis involving 681 males from seven populations in the region. Paternal lineages present in SEE were compared with previously published data from 81 western Eurasian populations and 5,017 Y chromosome samples. The finding that five major haplogroups (E3b1, I1b* (xM26), J2, R1a, and R1b) comprise more than 70% of SEE total genetic variation is consistent with the typical European Y chromosome gene pool. However, distribution of major Y chromosomal lineages and estimated expansion signals clarify the specific role of this region in structuring of European, and particularly Slavic, paternal genetic heritage. Contemporary Slavic paternal gene pool, mostly characterized by the predominance of R1a and I1b* (xM26) and scarcity of E3b1 lineages, is a result of two major prehistoric gene flows with opposite directions: the post-Last Glacial Maximum R1a expansion from east to west, the Younger Dryas-Holocene I1b* (xM26) diffusion out of SEE in addition to subsequent R1a and I1b* (xM26) putative gene flows between eastern Europe and SEE, and a rather weak extent of E3b1 diffusion toward regions nowadays occupied by Slavic-speaking populations.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Anthropological Research, Amruseva 8, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. mpericic@luka.inantro.hr
authors.forename: Marijana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pericić
authors.forename: Lovorka Barać
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Lauc
authors.forename: Irena Martinović
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Klarić
authors.forename: Siiri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rootsi
authors.forename: Branka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Janićijevic
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rudan
authors.forename: Rifet
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Terzić
authors.forename: Ivanka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Colak
authors.forename: Ante
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kvesić
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Popović
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sijacki
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Behluli
authors.forename: Dobrivoje
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dordevic
authors.forename: Ljudmila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Efremovska
authors.forename: Dorde D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Bajec
authors.forename: Branislav D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Stefanović
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Villems
authors.forename: Pavao
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rudan
mesh_terms: D008297:Male; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D005060:Europe; D005061:Europe, Eastern; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005788:Gene Pool; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans