MS205 minisatellite diversity in Basques: evidence for a pre-Neolithic component

Area of Science:

• Population Genetics
• Human Evolutionary Studies
• Ancient DNA Analysis

Background:

• The Basque population is hypothesized to be a remnant of Mesolithic Europeans, largely unaffected by Neolithic agricultural expansion.
• Understanding Basque genetic history can provide insights into early European population movements and admixture events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the genetic diversity of the Basque population using MS205 minisatellite markers.
• To compare Basque genetic profiles with other European and global populations to test hypotheses about their origins.
• To explore potential deep ancestral lineages within the Basque population.

Main Methods:

• Minisatellite Variant Repeat (MVR) analysis was performed on MS205 minisatellite diversity.
• Genetic data from over 100 autochthonous Basques were analyzed alongside samples from Castilians and UK individuals.
• Phylogenetic approaches incorporating allele similarity were used to compare populations against a global MS205 allele database.

Main Results:

• The genetic variability observed in the studied populations appears to be a subset of broader, older African diversity.
• Within non-African populations, Basques cluster with other Northern European groups.
• Specific Basque alleles were identified, with some traceable to post-Aurignacian periods, suggesting Upper Paleolithic continuity.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the hypothesis of Basques retaining ancient European lineages.
• The genetic data indicate a deep ancestral connection for some Basque lineages dating back to the Upper Paleolithic era.
• Basque genetic distinctiveness is partly explained by continuity from pre-Neolithic European populations.