Trans-Eurasian steppe herder and barley farmer migrations shaped paternal genomic dynamics in Northwest China and Hui evolution.

ABSTRACT: Human populations across Eurasia have long been connected through the steppe corridor and Silk Road, yet their paternal genetic history remains poorly understood. We integrated large-scale Y-chromosome data, including 1053 previously unreported sequenced genomes, to reconstruct Eurasian spatiotemporal paternal phylogeny. This resource identified 15,810 previously unidentified variants, improving the resolution of Y-chromosome phylogeny and enabling more accurate placement of ancient Eurasians. Paternal lineages in Northwest China changed gradually over time. Bronze Age Xinjiang populations were largely dominated by Xiaohe-related local lineages or western steppe herder lineages, while Iron Age and later populations showed increasing paternal contributions from East Asian farmers, eastern s

SUBMITTER: Wang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC13632729 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature