عنوان

High-resolution characterization of genetic markers in the Arabian Peninsula and Near East

Number

TLets605350

Title Proper

High-resolution characterization of genetic markers in the Arabian Peninsula and Near East

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Neves da Nova Fernandes, Veronica Cristina

Subsequent Statement of Responsibility

Richards, Martin ; Pereira, Luisa

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

University of Leeds

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2013

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Thesis (Ph.D.)

Text preceding or following the note

2013

Text of Note

In this work, I analysed the maternally transmitted mtDNA and biparentally inherited genome-wide polymorphisms to shed light on successive migrations into and from the Arabian Peninsula, at the crossroads between Africa, Europe and Asia. I focused on three main issues: 1- The first descendants of the out-of-Africa migration: My phylogeographic analysis on 385 complete mtDNA N1, N2 and X sequences showed their common origin in the Gulf Oasis region at ~57-65 ka. Instead of isolation, I identified a continuous gene flow between Arabia and Near East. Genome-wide data supported the strong clustering of Arabian and Near Eastern populations. 2- Major population expansions in the Arabian Peninsula: My data on the rare N(xR) lineages supported a continuous settlement of the Peninsula, while my founder analysis of other N lineages suggested Near Eastern lineages arriving continuously from the Late Glacial (31%-46%; some U and N1 lineages), Younger Dryas (24-28%; R0a and HV), Neolithic (20-25%; J and T; supported by my new complete 44 sequences) and till recently (10-15%; derived lineages). These results again challenge the hypothesis of long-term isolation between these two regions. 3- Genetic exchanges across the Red Sea: Phylogeographic analysis of L4 and L6 mtDNA complete sequences and HVS-I founder analysis from Africa into Arabia/Near East indicated that the Arab maritime dominance and slave trade (0.5-2.5 ka) were the main contributors (~60-70%) to the African input, but the entrance began with the establishment of maritime networks in the Red Sea by 8 ka. Genome-wide analyses supported this recent introduction (ROLLOFF estimates of 30-40 generations) suggesting that Arabia has 6% eastern African and 3% western African input. The HVS-I founder analysis for the back-to-Africa migrations showed that the Late Glacial period dominated introductions into eastern Africa, while the Neolithic was more important for migrations towards North Africa.

Neves da Nova Fernandes, Veronica Cristina

Richards, Martin ; Pereira, Luisa

University of Leeds

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y