The Tyner/Tiner DNA Project
DNA Molecule

Tyner/Tiner DNA Project

Haplogroups:

In the study of molecular evolution , a haplogroup (from the Greek : ?p???? , haploûs , "onefold, single, simple") is a group of similar haplotypes that share a common ancestor with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutation. Because a haplogroup consists of similar haplotypes, this is what makes it possible to predict a haplogroup from haplotypes. An SNP test confirms a haplogroup. Haplogroups are assigned letters of the alphabet, and refinements consist of additional number and letter combinations, for example R1b1. Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups have different haplogroup designations. Haplogroups pertain to deep ancestral origins dating back thousands of years. [ 1 ]

In human genetics , the haplogroups most commonly studied are Y-chromosome (Y-DNA) haplogroups and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups , both of which can be used to define genetic populations. Y-DNA is passed solely along the patrilineal line, from father to son, while mtDNA is passed down the matrilineal line, from mother to daughter. Neither recombines , and thus Y-DNA and mtDNA change only by chance mutation at each generation with no intermixture between parents' genetic material.

I2b1

I1

R1b1b2

J2

E1b1a

I2a

 

Further Reading:

Scientific Articles:

Note: In recent scientific articles, haplogroups are usually referred to by the name of their characteristic genetic marker or "mutation."  For example, R1b1 is the same as P25.  For a list of markers associated with different haplogroups, see this Wikipedia list

Scientific articles published prior to 2003 used an older system for naming the European haplogroups.  Haplogroup 1 ("Hg1") = Haplogroup R1b1; Haplogroup 2 ("Hg2") = Haplogroup I (the "Viking Haplogroup") plus G and J; Haplogroup 3 ("Hg3") = Haplogroup R1a.

  • Alonso S, et. al. "The place of the Basques in the European Y-chromosome diversity landscape" (1: Eur J Hum Genet. 2005 Aug 10; [Epub].)  Y-DNA from 168 male Basques was compared to samples from European, Near East, and North African populations. The authors of this study reject the theory, advanced by some, that the Basques were direct ancestors of the Celts. However, the genetic similarities between Basques, Celts, and other European populations suggest a common origin dating back to the Paleolithic period (Stone Age).
  • Bird, Steven. "Haplogroup E3b1a2 as a Possible Indicator of Settlement in Roman Britain by Soldiers of Balkan Origin" (Journal of Genetic Genealogy 2007 Vol. 3 No. 2 [on-line journal].)  The author hypothesizes that the distribution of the subclade E3b-1a2 (now known as E1b1b1a) in England and Wales is evidence of Roman settlement.
  • Bowden GR, et. al. "Excavating past population structures by surname-based sampling: the genetic legacy of the Vikings in northwest England." (1: Mol Biol Evol. 2008 Feb;25(2):301-9.)  The authors used historical records to identify surnames known to be present in northwest England since Medieval times. Place-names and archaeology show clear evidence of a past Viking presence in northwest England. The surname-ascertained samples showed markedly greater Scandinavian ancestry than a control group, supporting the idea that northwest England was once heavily populated by Scandinavian settlers.
  • Capelli C, et. al. "A Y chromosome census of the British Isles" (Curr Biol 2003 May 27;13(11):979-84).  The authors compared Y-DNA samples from multiple locations in England, Wales, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, and Germany. They found that different parts of the British Isles have sharply different paternal histories, reflecting varying degrees of population replacement which occurred during the Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasions. According to the authors, "Perhaps the most surprising conclusion is the limited continental [i.e., Anglo-Saxon and Viking] input in southern England, which appears to be predominantly indigenous and, by some analyses, no more influenced by the continental invaders than is mainland Scotland."
  • Hammer MF, et. al. "Population Structure of Y Chromosome SNP Haplogroups in the United States and Forensic Implications for Constructing Y Chromosome STR Databases" (For. Sci. Intl. 2005).  The authors performed haplogroup tests on 2,517 DNA samples from Americans of different ethnic backgrounds. R1b was by far the most common haplogroup found, representing about 58% of European Americans as well as 44% of Native Americans (on average, depending on tribe) and 17% of African Americans. This reflects the fact that, historically, the majority of European immigrants to America came from northwestern Europe, especially England, Scotland, and Ireland. The other common haplogroups among European Americans were haplogroup I (17%) and R1a (7%). Note, this study uses highly technical terminology to identify the different haplogroups by their characteristic genetic markers. For example, "R-M269" (also known as R1b1c) is a common subgroup (or "subclade") within Haplogroup R1b1.  "R-M17" = R1a, and "I-P30" = I1a.
  • Helgason, et. al. "Estimating Scandinavian and Gaelic Ancestry in the Male Settlers of Iceland" (Am. J. Hum. Genet. 2000 Sep; 67(3):697-717).  Y-DNA from Icelanic men was compared to samples from Scandinavia and Ireland. Interestingly, the authors discovered that 20-25% of the male founders of Iceland were probably Gaelic (i.e., Celts from the British Isles) rather than Norse/ Scandinavians.
  • McEvoy B, et. al. "The Longue Duree of genetic ancestry: multiple genetic marker systems and Celtic origins on the Atlantic facade of Europe" (Am J Hum Genet 2004 Oct; 75(4):693-702).  The authors discuss the genetic similarities that have been found among the peoples on the Atlantic zone of Europe from northern Iberia (Spain) to the British Isles to western Scandinavia. They argue that the Celts originated in western Europe, not central Europe as traditionally believed.
  • Roewer, L, et. al. "Signature of recent historical events in the European Y-chromosomal STR haplotype distribution" (Hum. Genet. 2005 Mar; 116(4):279-91).  This large study looked at 12,700 DNA samples collected from locations throughout the European continent. The authors found "clear evidence for a major genetic division of European males into Slavic-speaking eastern and Romance language-speaking western populations, separated by a central European block of German and Italian-speaking populations." They believe that these patterns of Y-DNA variation can be tied to relatively recent events in European history, such as the influence of the Frankish kingdoms in western Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire.
  • Thomas MG, et. al. "Evidence for an apartheid-like social structure in early Anglo-Saxon England"(Proc Biol Sci. 2006 Oct 22; 273(1601):2651-7).  The authors theorize that Anglo-Saxon men contributed disproportionately to the modern English gene pool due to the higher social status of the Anglo-Saxons compared to native Celtic Britons.
  • Weale M, et. al. "Y Chromosome Evidence for Anglo-Saxon Mass Migration" (Mol Biol Evol 2002 Jul; 19(7):1008-21).  The authors compared Y-DNA samples from different parts of England, Wales, Norway, and the Dutch province of Friesland. Evidence of significant Anglo-Saxon migration was found in central England, but not in Wales. This article is useful for identifying Celtic-type Y-DNA. Note that the authors focus on six markers, #19-388-390-391-392-393. The pattern 14-12-24-11-13-13 on these markers (plus or minus one or two steps) is what is known as the Atlantic Modal Haplotype.
  • Wilson JF, et. al. "Genetic evidence for different male and female roles during cultural transitions in the British Isles" (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2001 Apr 24; 98(9):4830-2).  One of the early genetic studies of the British Isles. The authors discuss the history of the British Isles as revealed by genetics. Topics covered include the close genetic similarities between Celts and Basques and the identifcation of the Atlantic Modal Haplotype in these groups.