Y‐chromosome variation in South Iberia: Insights into the North African contribution

Abstract

Population of Pedroches Valley, a hypothetical Berber settlement, located in the northwest portion of Córdoba province (Andalusia, Spain), had been analyzed for its Y-chromosome diversity. Moreover, to contextualize this population, 127 Y-chromosomes from a general Andalusia sample and a North African Berber community (Marrakech, Morocco) were also typed. For all samples, 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms of the non-recombining portion of the Y-chromosome (NRY) were analyzed and those samples described as belonging to E3b1b-M81 haplogroup were also typed for 16 Y-chromosome short tandem repeats. Our analysis showed low levels of North African E3b1b-M81 haplogroup in the Pedroches Valley population (1.5%), which is a lower contribution than would be expected. This result rejects the hypothesis of a gradual genetic assimilation of Berber settlers during the Islamic period.

Association of Spermatogenic Failure with the b2/b3 Partial AZFc Deletion

“…The distribution of haplogroups was not significantly different between the case and control populations. The high frequency of E3b2 chromosomes is consistent with previous studies of Moroccan populations where 80% of chromosome carry this marker [27], [28].…”

From Arabia to Iberia: A Y chromosome perspective

“…Africa to Iberia (Arnaiz-Villena et al, 1999;Maca-Meyer et al, 2003;Goncalves et al, 2005;Alvarez et al, 2009;Currat et al, 2010;Lacan et al, 2011). Also, archeological evidence point to early (Mesolithic to Neolithic) maritime colonization of Iberia by farmers (Zilhão, 2001).…”

“…possibly older pre-Muslim migrations from Northwest Africa(Arnaiz-Villena et al, 1999;Maca-Meyer et al, 2003;Goncalves et al, 2005;Alvarez et al, 2009;Cerezo et al, 2012). If the Islamic occupation of Iberia was indeed a major contributing factor to the presence of moderate levels of M81 in the Peninsula, how can we explained the higher levels of this mutation and the M183 derivative in Galicia (north west Spain) and Cantabria (north central Spain) compared to Andalusia (south Spain)?…”

Immunoglobulin genes in Andalusia (Spain). Genetic diversity in the Mediterranean space

“…A number of genetic studies have been published on Andalusian population based on blood group system polymorphisms [20], erythrocyte enzymes [21], leucocyte polymorphisms (HLA class II) [22,23], and DNA autosomal and uniparental markers [24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. These surveys show heterogeneous results on the genetic affinity between Andalusia and North Africa -neighbouring western populations specifically.…”