African Ancestry in Southern Europeans, Levantines, and Jews
Author Information
Author(s): Moorjani Priya, Patterson Nick, Hirschhorn Joel N., Keinan Alon, Hao Li, Atzmon Gil, Burns Edward, Ostrer Harry, Price Alkes L., Reich David
Primary Institution: Harvard Medical School
Hypothesis
What is the proportion and date of African gene flow into West Eurasian populations?
Conclusion
Southern Europeans have inherited 1%–3% African ancestry, Levantines 4%–15%, and Jewish populations 3%–5%, with mixture dates ranging from about 32 to 72 generations ago.
Supporting Evidence
- Southern Europeans have 1%–3% African ancestry.
- Levantine groups have 4%–15% African ancestry.
- Jewish populations analyzed show 3%–5% African ancestry.
- Mixture dates for Southern Europeans are around 55 generations ago.
- Levantine mixture dates are about 32 generations ago.
- Jewish admixture dates are estimated at about 72 generations ago.
Takeaway
People from Southern Europe, the Levant, and Jewish communities have some African ancestry because of migrations that happened a long time ago.
Methodology
The study analyzed genome-wide polymorphism data from 6,529 individuals across 107 populations to estimate African ancestry proportions and mixture dates.
Potential Biases
Potential biases in the estimated dates due to the assumptions of instantaneous mixture and the unknown exact population contributing to African ancestry.
Limitations
The study's sampling of the Middle East is sparse, and the exact African source populations contributing to the ancestry are not identified.
Participant Demographics
The study included diverse populations from Southern Europe, the Levant, and various Jewish groups.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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