A Y-chromosomal survey of Ecuador's multi-ethnic population reveals new insights into the tri-partite population structure and supports an early Holocene age of the rare Native American founder lineage C3-MPB373. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Villaescusa, Patricia; Seidel, Maria; Nothnagel, Michael; Pinotti, Thomaz; González-Andrade, Fabricio; Alvarez-Gila, Oscar; M. de Pancorbo, Marian; Roewer, Lutz
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 51(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Y-STRs -- Y-SNPs -- Ecuador -- Kichwas -- C3-MPB373; Forensic genetics -- Periodicals; Génétique légale -- Périodiques; Forensic genetics; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2020.102427
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1872-4973

Abstract

Highlights: A set of 527 Ecuadorian individuals from different ethnic groups was studied. C3-MPB373 is reported for the first time in Kichwas from Ecuadorian highlands. TMRCA estimations point to the origin of C3-MPB373 7.2–9.0 kya. C3-MPB373 expanded into South America 8.6–9 kya, in the early Holocene. Patrilocal marriage practices led to the partial genetic isolation of the Tsáchilas. Abstract: Ecuador is a multiethnic and pluricultural country with a complex history defined by migration and admixture processes. The present study aims to increase our knowledge on the Ecuadorian Native Amerindian groups and the unique South American Y-chromosome haplogroup C3-MPB373 through the analysis of up to 23 Y-chromosome STRs (Y-STRs) and several Y-SNPs in a sample of 527 Ecuadorians from 7 distinct populations and geographic areas, including Kichwa and non-Kichwa Native Amerindians, Mestizos and Afro-Ecuadorians. Our results reveal the presence of C3-MPB373 both in the Amazonian lowland Kichwa with frequencies up to 28 % and, for the first time, in notable proportions in Kichwa populations from the Ecuadorian highlands. The substantially higher frequencies of C3-MPB373 in the Amazonian lowlands found in Kichwa and Waorani individuals suggest a founder effect in that area. Notably, estimates for the time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) in the range of 7.2–9.0 kya point to an ancient origin of the haplogroup and suggest an early Holocene expansion of C3-MPB373 into South America. Finally, the pairwise genetic distances (RST ) separate the Kichwa Salasaka from all the other Native Amerindian and Ecuadorian groups, indicating a so far hidden diversity among the Kichwa-speaking populations and suggesting a more southern origin of this population. In sum, our study provides a more in-depth knowledge of the male genetic structure of the multiethnic Ecuadorian population, as well as a valuable reference dataset for forensic use.