Genetic Diversity on the Y Chromosome in Aboriginal Australians

Abstract

This study involved analysis of genetic variation among Aboriginal Australian populations using microsatellite markers on the Y chromosome. Allelic diversity and haplotypic diversity in Aboriginal Australians were found to be high, relative to other populations throughout the world. The set of alleles at each Y-specific micro satellite locus was used to construct Y chromosome haplotypes for each individual. A network showing the relationships among haplotypes based on these markers was constructed, and showed a highly branching patttern. The findings of this study were interpreted in the context of the evolutionary history of Aboriginal Australians and compared to previous genetic studies of Aboriginal Australian populations and tp archaeological and paleoanthropological evidience.