Gene Flow from the Indian Subcontinent to Australia

Abstract

Phenotypic similarities between Australian Aboriginal People and some tribes of India were noted by T.H. Huxley during the voyage of the Rattlesnake (1846-1850). Anthropometric studies by Birdsell led to his suggestion that a migratory wave into Australia included populations with affinities to tribal Indians. Genetic evidence for an Indian contribution to the Australian gene pool is contradictory; most studies of autosomal markers have not supported this hypothesis (; and references therein). On the other hand, affinities between Australian Aboriginal People and southern Indians were suggested based on maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA. Here, we show additional DNA evidence in support of Huxley's hypothesis of an Indian-Australian connection using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and short tandem repeats (STRs) on the nonrecombining portion of the Y chromosome (NRY). Phylogenetic analyses of STR variation associated with a major Australian SNP lineage indicated tight clustering with southern Indian/Sri Lankan Y chromosomes. Estimates of the divergence time for these Indian and Australian chromosomes overlap with important changes in the archaeological and linguistic records in Australia. These results provide strong evidence for an influx of Y chromosomes from the Indian subcontinent to Australia that may have occurred during the Holocene.

Revealing the prehistoric settlement of Australia by Y chromosome and mtDNA analysis

“…In other words, these data provide further evidence that local H. erectus or archaic Homo sapiens populations did not contribute to the modern aboriginal Australian gene pool, nor did Australians and New Guineans derive from a hypothetical second migration out of Africa (38), nor is there any suggestion of a specific relationship with India (9,21,22).…”

“…1 (4,(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)], we can now attempt to clarify some of the salient features of the record of Australian population history and confirm its considerable isolation.…”

“…Recent molecular studies on humans have likewise yielded a diversity of interpretations, ranging from a deep but undated split distinguishing Australians even from their immediate neighbors to the north in NG (20) to a very recent immigration event within the Holocene in the past 10,000 years (21,22).…”

Mitochondrial DNA analysis reveals diverse histories of tribal populations from India

“…Taken together with other conclusions, 41,57 the present results give credence to the trihybrid model of peopling of Australia 58 involving 'Negrito', east Asian and Indian sources. The Indian influence on Australia may be recent (ie o5000 years), 41,57 thus much later than (and therefore independent from) the early migration that would have followed the southern route B60 000 years ago.…”

The evolution and diversity of TNF block haplotypes in European, Asian and Australian Aboriginal populations

“…A gene flow between Australian Aboriginal People and Southern Indians has been suggested earlier with the studies of the Y chromosome and maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA. 8,9 The authors cite cultural evidence for a link around 3000-5000 years ago.…”