A perspective on the history of the Iberian gypsies provided by phylogeographic analysis of Y-chromosome lineages

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Gusmao, A (Author) Other; Leonor Gusmao (Author) Other; Gomes, V (Author) Other; Alves, C (Author) Other; Calafell, F (Author) Other; Amorim, A (Author) FCUP; Prata, MJ (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Annals of Human Genetics

Vol. 72

Pages: 215-227

ISSN: 0003-4800

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 43 Citations

Scopus - 42 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-0ZD

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1809.2007.00421.x

Abstract (EN): The European Gypsies, commonly referred to as Roma, are represented by a vast number of groups spread across many countries. Although sharing a common origin, the Gypsy groups are highly heterogeneous as a consequence of genetic drift and different levels of admixture with surrounding populations. With this study we aimed at contributing to the knowledge of the Roma history by studying 17 Y-STR and 34 Y-SNP loci in a sample of 126 Portuguese Gypsies. Distinct genetic hallmarks of their past and migration route were detected, namely: an ancestral component, shared by all Roma groups, that reflects their origin in India (H1a-M82; similar to 17%); an influence from their long permanence in the Balkans/Middle-East region (J2a1b-M67, J2a1b1-M92, I-M170, Q-M242; similar to 31%); traces of contacts with European populations preceding the entrance in the Iberian Peninsula (R1b1c-M269, J2b1a-M241; similar to 10%); and a high proportion of admixture with the non-Gypsy population from Iberia (R1b1c-M269, R1-M173/del.M269, J2a-M410, I1b1b-M26, E3b1b-M81; similar to 37%). Among the Portuguese Gypsies the proportion of introgression from host populations is higher than observed in other groups, a fact which is somewhat unexpected since the arrival of the Roma to Portugal is documented to be more recent than in Central or East Europe.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13