The genomic history of East Asian Middle Neolithic millet- and rice-agricultural populations.

ABSTRACT: The Yellow and Yangtze river basins in China are among the world's oldest independent agricultural centers, known for the domestication of millet and rice, respectively, yet their genetic history is poorly understood. Here, we present genome-wide data from 74 Middle Neolithic genetic samples from these regions, showing marked genetic differentiation but bidirectional gene flow, supporting a demic diffusion model of mixed farming. Yellow River populations exhibit distinct genetic substructures resulting from interactions with surrounding groups during the mid-Neolithic expansion of millet agriculture. Upper Yellow River populations are genetically linked to Tibetan Plateau populations and possess the earliest adaptive EPAS1 haplotype (∼5,800 BP) among modern humans. Meanwhile, Yangtze River

SUBMITTER: Xiong J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12791001 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature