Reconciling migration models to the Americas with the variation of North American native mitogenomes

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1306290110
• Publication Date: 2013-08-13T01:53:00Z
• Authors: Alessandro Achilli; Ugo A. Perego; Hovirag Lancioni; Anna Olivieri; Francesca Gandini; Baharak Hooshiar ...; Vincenza Battaglia; Viola Grugni; Norman Angerhofer; Mary P. Rogers; Rene J. Herrera; Scott R. Woodward; Damian Labuda; David Glenn Smith; Jerome S. Cybulski; Ornella Semino; Ripan S. Malhi; Antonio Torroni
• Keywords: Haplogroup; Beringia; Human migration

In this study we evaluated migration models to the Americas by using information contained in native mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) from North America. Molecular and phylogeographic analyses of B2a mitogenomes, which are absent Eskimo–Aleut northern Na-Dene speakers, revealed that haplogroup arose America ∼11–13 ka one founder Paleo-Indian B2 mitogenomes. contrast, A2a, is typical Eskimo–Aleuts Na-Dene, but also present easternmost Siberian groups, originated only 4–7 Alaska, led first Paleo-Eskimo settlement Canada Greenland, contributed formation gene pool. However, mitogenomes show Amerindians America, without any distinction between non–Na-Dene, were heavily affected an additional distinctive Beringian genetic input. conclusion, most mtDNA variation (along double-continent) stems wave Beringia, followed Pacific coastal route. This was accompanied or a second inland migratory event, marked haplogroups X2a C4c, all Amerindian groups Northern Much later, ancestral A2a carriers spread undertaking both westward Asia eastward expansion into circumpolar regions Canada. Thus, American founders left greatest mark original maternal makeup Natives subsequently reshaped streams flow local population dynamics, making three-wave view too simplistic.