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Genomic insights into a tripartite ancestry in the Southern Ryukyu Islands
Niall P Cooke1, Valeria Mattiangeli2, Lara M Cassidy2
1School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Evolutionary Human Sciences
|August 17, 2023
Summary
The genetic origins of the Ryukyu Islands support a tripartite model, with higher Jomon ancestry than mainland Japan. Ancestry arrived via migration and admixture, not direct immigration, around the 11th century AD.
Area of Science:
- Population Genetics
- Ancient Genomics
- Human Ancestry
Background:
- The tripartite model suggests Japanese ancestry derives from Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun periods.
- Regional genetic diversity necessitates evaluating this model across the Japanese archipelago.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze ancient genomes from the southern Ryukyu Islands.
- To assess the tripartite model's applicability in a region with unique cultural and historical contexts.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of historic genomes from the southern Ryukyu Islands.
- Comparison of genetic ancestry proportions with mainland Japanese populations.
Main Results:
- The tripartite structure is the best fit for the Ryukyu Islands' genetic origin.
- Ryukyu populations exhibit significantly higher Jomon ancestry proportions compared to mainland Japanese.
- Ancestry in the Ryukyu Islands resulted from migration and admixture of pre-existing tripartite populations, unlike direct continental immigration to the main islands.
Conclusions:
- The tripartite model is reaffirmed in the southernmost Japanese archipelago.
- The emergence of this tripartite structure varied geographically, with distinct admixture timing in the Ryukyu Islands during the Gusuku period.
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