An extensive analysis of Y-chromosomal microsatellite haplotypes in globally dispersed human populations

The genetic variance at seven Y-chromosomal microsatellite loci (or short t andem repeats [STRs]) was studied among 986 male individuals from 20 global ly dispersed human populations. A total of 598 different haplotypes were ob served, of which 437 (73.1%) were each found in a single male only. Populat ion-specific haplotype-diversity values were .86-.99. Analyses of haplotype diversity and population-specific haplotypes revealed marked population-st ructure differences between more-isolated indigenous populations (e.g., Cen tral African Pygmies or Greenland Inuit) and more-admixed populations (e.g. , Europeans or Surinamese). Furthermore, male individuals from isolated ind igenous populations shared haplotypes mainly with male individuals from the ir own population. By analysis of molecular variance, we found that 76.8% o f the total genetic variance present among these male individuals could be attributed to genetic differences between male individuals who were members of the same population. Haplotype sharing between populations, Phi (ST) st atistics, and phylogenetic analysis identified close genetic affinities amo ng European populations and among New Guinean populations. Our data illustr ate that Y-chromosomal STR haplotypes are an ideal tool for the study of th e genetic affinities between groups of male subjects and for detection of p opulation structure.