Genetic Variability of Roma Population in Serbia: The Perspective From Uniparentally Inherited Markers

Area of Science:

• Population Genetics
• Human Ancestry
• European Ethnography

Background:

• The Roma population in Europe possesses unique genetic ancestry shaped by migration, bottlenecks, and gene flow.
• Understanding Roma genetic diversity is crucial for tracing their historical movements and admixture patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the genetic diversity of the Roma population in Serbia using mtDNA and Y-chromosome markers.
• To assess genetic substructuring within Serbian Roma based on geographical origin and religious affiliation.

Main Methods:

• Sequencing of the mtDNA control region in 269 samples.
• Analysis of 27 Y-STRs and 22 Y-SNPs in 165 male samples.
• Classification of samples based on geographical region and religious affiliation.

Main Results:

• Higher diversity observed in the mtDNA pool compared to the paternal genetic pool.
• Evidence of bidirectional local male gene flow, including haplogroup H-M2972 in the Serbian population and I-L621 in Roma.
• Intrapopulation substructuring identified, with varying proportions of South Asian and West Eurasian lineages across different Roma groups.
• Asymmetrical gene flow observed in all Roma subpopulations; male-biased gene flow noted specifically in the Orthodox Roma group.

Conclusions:

• Serbian Roma display significant diversity in both mtDNA and Y-chromosome pools.
• Religious affiliation plays a role in shaping admixture patterns with the general population.
• Genetic substructuring exists within the Serbian Roma population, influenced by geographical and religious factors.