Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026

A Noninvasive Hair Sampling Technique to Obtain High Quality DNA from Elusive Small Mammals
Published on: March 13, 2011
Micro-geographical differentiation in Northern Iberia revealed by Y-chromosomal DNA analysis
María Brion1, Bea Quintans, Maite Zarrabeitia
1Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, San Francisco s/n., 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Abstract:
Y-chromosome diversity has been analyzed at a micro-geographical level, examining 10 binary polymorphisms and 7 short tandem repeats (STRs) in 443 samples belonging to 11 populations from two regions of Northern Spain, Galicia and Cantabria. Both regions, as a whole, cluster with other Iberian populations. However, some individual populations, particularly that from the Pas Valley in Cantabria, depart markedly from this general pattern, with higher genetic distances and reduced diversity. This unusual population is even more distinct than the Basques from their Iberian neighbors. Genetic drift in a small isolated population could explain this special behavior, and in addition to its anthropological interest, this finding has important forensic implications.
Related Concept Videos
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
X and Y Chromosomes
The germline cells such as egg and sperm cells carry only half the number of chromosomes, i.e., 22 autosomes and one sex chromosome. All eggs have an X chromosome, while sperm cells can carry an X or...
Genetics of Speciation
Genetic Variation
Genes exist in different versions called alleles, which...
Hardy-Weinberg Principle
Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance

