The Dutch Y-chromosomal landscape

Altena, E.; Smeding, R.; Gaag, K.J. van der; Larmuseau, M.H.D.; Decorte, R.; Lao, O.; ... ; Knijff, P. de (2020)

Article / Letter to editor

Previous studies indicated existing, albeit limited, genetic-geographic population substructure in the Dutch population based on genome-wide data and a lack of this for mitochondrial SNP based data. Despite the aforementioned studies, Y-chromosomal SNP data from the Netherlands remain scarce and do not cover the territory of the Netherlands well enough to allow a reliable investigation of genetic-geographic population substructure. Here we provide the first substantial dataset of detailed spatial Y-chromosomal haplogroup information in 2085 males collected across the Netherlands and supplemented with previously published data from northern Belgium. We found Y-chromosomal evidence for genetic-geographic population substructure, and several Y-haplogroups demonstrating significant clinal frequency distributions in different directions. By means of prediction surface maps we could visualize (complex) distribution patterns of individual Y-haplogroups in detail. These results highlight the value of a micro-geographic approach and are of great use for forensic and epidemiological investigations and our understanding of the Dutch population history. Moreover, the previously noted absence of genetic-geographic population substructure in the Netherlands based on mitochondrial DNA in contrast to our Y-chromosome results, hints at different population histories for women and men in the Netherlands.

• All authors: Altena, E.; Smeding, R.; Gaag, K.J. van der; Larmuseau, M.H.D.; Decorte, R.; Lao, O.; Kayser, M.; Kraaijenbrink, T.; Knijff, P. de
• Date: 2020-03-01
• Journal: European Journal of Human Genetics
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 287 - 299
• DOI: doi:10.1038/s41431-019-0496-0
• Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41431-019-0496-0