Analysis of Y-chromosome variability and its comparison with mtDNA variability reveals different demographic histories between islands in the Azores Archipelago (Portugal)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2005

Authors

Montiel, R (Author) Other; Bettencourt, C (Author) Other; Silva, C (Author) Other; Santos, C (Author) Other; Prata, MJ (Author) FCUP; Lima, M (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Annals of Human Genetics

Vol. 69

Pages: 135-144

ISSN: 0003-4800

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 20 Citations

Scopus - 25 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-4BB

DOI: 10.1046/j.1529-8817.2004.00146.x

Abstract (EN): We determined the Y-chromosomal composition of the population of the Azores Islands (Portugal), by analyzing 20 binary polymorphisms located in the non-recombining portion of the Y-chromosome (NRY), in 185 unrelated individuals from the three groups of islands forming the Archipelago (Eastern, Central and Western). Similar to that described for other Portuguese samples, the most frequent haplogroups were R1(xR1b3f) (55.1%), E(xE3a) (13%) and J (8.6%). Principal components analysis revealed a Western European profile for the Azorean population. No significant differences between Azores and mainland Portugal were observed. However, the haplogroup distribution across the three groups of islands was not similar (P < 0.003). The Western group presented differences in the frequencies of haplogroups R1, E(xE3a) and I1b2 (27.3%, 22.7% and 13.6%, respectively) when compared to the other two groups. An assessment of the NRY variability, and its comparison with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variability, was further evidence of the differential composition of males during the settlement of the three groups of islands, contrary to what has been previously deduced for the female settlers using mtDNA data.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10