An Asian Trace in the Genetic Heritage of the Eastern Adriatic Island of Hvar

[MfA_]

The Island of Hvar is situated in the central eastern Adriatic, and its relatively small rural population has been reproductively isolated thought history. Therefore, founder effects, genetic drift and inbreeding have had significant role in the shaping of current genetic diversity of Hvar Islanders.

We analyzed Y-chromosome SNP markers of 412 Hvar islanders in high resolution, with the aim to investigate the current paternal genetic diversity. We found a relatively high frequency (6.1%) of unrelated male samples belonging to the Q*-M424 haplogroup, which is unusual for European populations.

Interestingly, a previous study showed 9 individuals from Hvar with mitochondrial haplogroup F, which is almost absent in Europe. Both findings could indicate a certain connection with Asian populations, where these haplogroups are most common. This might be a result of several migratory events in the history, one of which could be linked to the ancient Silk Road, the other a consequence of the arrival of the Slavs, following the Avars, to the eastern Adriatic in the 6th century or due to the expansion of the Ottoman Empire in 16th to 18th century.

The presence of these rare mitochondrial and Y-chromosome lineages are an example of founder effect and random genetic drift which, in this small island with a high degree of isolation and endogamy, had a strong impact on shaping the genetic diversity of the population.

Page 223
http://www.isabs.hr/PDF/2013/ISABS-2013_book_of_abstracts.pdf

[MfA_]

This also seems to be related..

Anthropologic and DNA analysis of human remains recovered from a graveyard in Sopot near Benkovac (Croatia) dating to the 14th/15th century was conducted in order to reconstruct the origin and life conditions of the people populating the region at that time.
The dynamics of the population represented in this graveyard are important for understanding Croatian history because the deceased individuals were buried according to pagan ritual which was uncommon in a post Christianization period.

Human remains from a total of 31 graves were analyzed, in which 47 individuals were found (9 female, 23 male and 15 children). Average age at death for adults was lower than expected (for female 28.9, male 32.4 years), suggesting that the living conditions of these individuals were poor. In addition, 10 antemortem traumas were visible on 6 adults, which is a higher rate than expected, and indicates potential violence within the population group.

Finally, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis was performed on hypervariable regions one and two for 46 of the individuals. Due to the age and condition of the remains, only 19 of the samples yielded full sequence profiles. Haplogroup analysis was performed for these 19 individuals, with the majority of the results falling within the most common groups in present-day Croatia. However, examination of the less common haplogroups suggested a possible migration of individuals from Asia.

Collectively, the physical and molecular results from this study provide evidence to suggest that individuals recovered from this gravesite are not from the current indigenous population.

Page 227
http://www.isabs.hr/PDF/2013/ISABS-2013_book_of_abstracts.pdf

[Artek]

http://www.eupedia.com/images/content/Haplogroup-Q.gif
This is the newly updated map of Haplogroup Q in Europe.

Most of Q in Europe is from the three branches: Q1a1b (L712), Q1a2a1a2 (L804) and Q1a2b1 (L527).
That's quite sad that we don't know deep subclade of Hvar's Q.

[MfA_]

http://www.eupedia.com/images/content/Haplogroup-Q.gif
This is the newly updated map of Haplogroup Q in Europe.

Most of Q in Europe is from the three branches: Q1a1b (L712), Q1a2a1a2 (L804) and Q1a2b1 (L527).
That's quite sad that we don't know deep subclade of Hvar's Q.

It's new and has relatively large sample size for a small island.. I still have some hope for the deep clades when the article released :)