Population history of the Dniester-Carpathians: evidence from Alu markers.
The area between the Dniester and the eastern Carpathian mountain range is at a geographical crossroads between eastern Europe and the Balkans. Little is known about the genetics of the population of this region. We performed an analysis of 12 binary autosomal markers in samples from six Dniester-Carpathian populations: two Moldavian, one Romanian, one Ukrainian and two Gagauz populations. The results were compared with gene frequency data from culturally and linguistically related populations from Southeast Europe and Central Asia. Small genetic differences were found among southeastern European populations (in particular those of the Dniester-Carpathian region). The observed homogeneity suggests either a very recent common ancestry of all southeastern European populations or strong gene flow between them. Despite this low level of differentiation, tree reconstruction and principle component analyses allowed a distinction between Balkan-Carpathian (Macedonians, Romanians, Moldavians, Ukrainians and Gagauzes) and eastern Mediterranean (Turks, Greeks and Albanians) population groups. The genetic affinities among Dniester-Carpathian and southeastern European populations do not reflect their linguistic relationships. The results indicate that the ethnic and genetic differentiations occurred in these regions to a considerable extent independently of each other. In particular, Gagauzes, a Turkic-speaking population, show closer affinities to their geographical neighbors than to other Turkic populations.
Varzari
Alexander
A
National Center of Reproductive Health and Medical Genetics, Burebista str. 82, 2062, Kishinev, Moldova. a_varsahr@yahoo.com.|Biocentre, Ludwigs-Maximilian University Munich, Grosshaderner Strasse 2, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany. a_varsahr@yahoo.com.|Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Banulescu-Bodoni str. 35, 2012, Kishinev, Moldova. a_varsahr@yahoo.com.
Stephan
Wolfgang
W
Biocentre, Ludwigs-Maximilian University Munich, Grosshaderner Strasse 2, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
Stepanov
Vadim
V
Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Nab. Ushayky 10, 634050, Tomsk, Russia.
Raicu
Florina
F
Anthropological Research Centre "Francisc Rainer", Romanian Academy, B-dul Eroii Sanitari 8, Sector 5, Bucharest, Romania.
Cojocaru
Radu
R
National Scientific and Practical Centre for Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, Gheorghi Asachi 67, 2028, Kishinev, Moldova.
Roschin
Yuri
Y
Medical Diagnostical Centre "Modus Vivendi", Kishinev, Moldova, Burebista str. 80, 2062, Kishinev, Moldova.
Glavce
Cristiana
C
Anthropological Research Centre "Francisc Rainer", Romanian Academy, B-dul Eroii Sanitari 8, Sector 5, Bucharest, Romania.
Dergachev
Valentin
V
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Banulescu-Bodoni str. 35, 2012, Kishinev, Moldova.
Spiridonova
Maria
M
Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Nab. Ushayky 10, 634050, Tomsk, Russia.
Schmidt
Horst D
HD
Department of Anthropology, University of Ulm, Parkstrasse 11, 89073, Ulm, Germany.
Weiss
Elisabeth
E
Biocentre, Ludwigs-Maximilian University Munich, Grosshaderner Strasse 2, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
D020087:Alu Elements / Q000235:genetics*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics*; D005061:Europe, Eastern / Q000208:ethnology; D051456:Gene Flow; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology*