The landscape of Y chromosome polymorphisms in Russia.
BACKGROUND
The pattern of diversity for the Y chromosome provides a view of male-driven processes of dispersal and settlement. By virtue of the broad geographic continuity, the genetic signature of movements from Asia to Europe can be detected in populations of north-eastern Europe.


OBJECTIVE
To directly test previous hypotheses on the peopling of Russia, by considering a broader spectrum of potential diversity.


METHODS
A total of 636 unrelated males (24 samples) from geographically and ethnically defined populations of Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Georgia were analysed for 16 Y-STR loci. Some of the populations represent more or less distinct isolates.


RESULTS
Microsatellites alone can have the power of detecting Asian contributions to the gene pool of populations now residing in Europe. Within Europe, a greater heterogeneity among populations sharing the same language than between populations sharing the same ethnic affiliation was found. There was low diversity and marked population differentiation in some Altaic speakers. Sympatry eroded inter-ethnic differentiation. No regular decline in genetic similarity with geography was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
Two layers of overall diversity represent a main feature of the genetic landscape of the population of the European portion of Russia.
Bellusci
Giovanna
G
Department of Biology, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Blasi
Paola
P
Vershubsky
Galina
G
Suvorov
Alexey
A
Novelletto
Andrea
A
Kozlov
Andrey
A
D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y / Q000235:genetics*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012426:Russia