Whole Y-Chromosome Sequences Reveal an Extremely Recent Origin of E-M183
Solé-Morata, N. et al. (2017). Scientific Reports, 7, 15941.
Summary
This study used whole Y-chromosome sequencing to reconstruct the phylogeny and dating of haplogroup E-M81 (also known as E-M183), the most common Y-DNA lineage among Amazigh (Berber) populations. Previous estimates based on microsatellite data had placed the origin of E-M81 much earlier, but this high-resolution approach dramatically revised the timeline.
The researchers sequenced complete Y-chromosomes from men carrying E-M81 across North Africa and determined that the time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of this lineage is only approximately 2,000–3,000 years before present. This is far more recent than earlier estimates of 5,000–10,000 years.
The phylogenetic tree revealed a striking star-like topology, indicating a rapid demographic expansion from a small founding population. This pattern is consistent with a population bottleneck followed by explosive growth, possibly linked to the adoption of camel pastoralism, trans-Saharan trade networks, or the consolidation of Amazigh confederations during the late first millennium BCE.
Study Region
Key Takeaways
- E-M81/E-M183 TMRCA dated to ~2,000–3,000 years before present via whole Y-chromosome sequencing
- This is significantly more recent than prior microsatellite-based estimates of 5,000–10,000 years
- Star-like phylogenetic topology indicates rapid demographic expansion from a small founding population
- The expansion may correlate with historical events: camel adoption, trans-Saharan trade, or Amazigh confederation formation
- Whole Y-chromosome sequencing provides higher resolution than STR-based methods for dating recent lineages
Relevance to Our Lineage
This study is foundational to the paternal lineage analysis presented throughout this site. E-PF2546, the specific Y-DNA haplogroup carried by the Chtouka lineage, is a subclade within the E-M81/E-M183 branch. The dating of E-M81's expansion to ~2,000–3,000 years ago (~300 BCE to 1000 BCE) directly informs the timeline discussed on our Lineage History page.
The star-like expansion pattern aligns with the historical narrative of Amazigh confederation formation in the Souss-Massa region. The rapid population growth from a small founding group is consistent with the establishment and expansion of tribal confederations like the Chtouka, where patrilineal descent structures would amplify specific Y-DNA lineages.
The ~300 BCE date for E-PF2546 referenced on this site is derived from the branching structure established by this paper, placing the Chtouka lineage's diversification within the broader E-M81 expansion during a period of significant political and economic change across the Maghreb.
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