Major genomic mitochondrial lineages delineate early human expansions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The phylogeographic distribution of human mitochondrial DNA variations allows a genetic approach to the study of modern Homo sapiens dispersals throughout the world from a female perspective. As a new contribution to this study we have phylogenetically analysed complete mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) sequences from 42 human lineages, representing major clades with known geographic assignation.

Results

We show the relative relationships among the 42 lineages and present more accurate temporal calibrations than have been previously possible to give new perspectives as how modern humans spread in the Old World.

Conclusions

The first detectable expansion occurred around 59,000-69,000 years ago from Africa, independently colonizing western Asia and India and, followin

SUBMITTER: Maca-Meyer N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC55343 | biostudies-literature | 2001

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature