title: The Carpathian range represents a weak genetic barrier in South-East Europe.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the present study we have assessed whether the Carpathian Mountains represent a genetic barrier in East Europe. Therefore, we have analyzed the mtDNA of 128 native individuals of Romania: 62 of them from the North of Romania, and 66 from South Romania.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have analyzed their mtDNA variability in the context of other European and Near Eastern populations through multivariate analyses. The results show that regarding the mtDNA haplogroup and haplotype distributions the Romanian groups living outside the Carpathian range (South Romania) displayed some degree of genetic differentiation compared to those living within the Carpahian range (North Romania).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The main differentiation between the mtDNA variability of the groups from North and South Romania can be attributed to the demographic movements from East to West (prehistoric or historic) that differently affected in these regions, suggesting that the Carpathian mountain range represents a weak genetic barrier in South-East Europe.
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hervella
authors.forename: Neskuts
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Izagirre
authors.forename: Santos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: Mihai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ioana
authors.forename: Mihai G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Netea
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country, Barrio Sarriena s/n 48940, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain. conchi.delarua@ehu.es.
authors.forename: Concepción
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de-la-Rua
mesh_terms: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D012383:Romania; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial