Matrilineal diversity and population history of Norwegians

Bibliographic Data

ID8312107
AuthorsDana Kristjansson (0000-0003-0687-2910, Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo Norway, corresponding author), Jon Bohlin (0000-0002-0992-1311, Center of Fertility and Health Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo Norway), Astanand Jugessur (0000-0003-1365-8322, Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo Norway), Thedore G Schurr (0000-0001-9323-9237, Department of Anthropology University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA)
Year2021
Volume176
Issue1
Pages120-133
Publication date2021-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.24345
PMID34110627
OpenAlexW3172415205
LanguageEN
References cited49

BACKGROUND: While well known for its Viking past, Norway's population history and the influences that have shaped its genetic diversity are less well understood. This is particularly true with respect to its demography, migration patterns, and dialectal regions, despite there being curated historical records for the past several centuries. In this study, we undertook an analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity within the country to elaborate this history from a matrilineal genetic perspective. METHODS: We aggregated 1174 partial modern Norwegian mtDNA sequences from the published literature and subjected them to detailed statistical and phylogenetic analysis by dialectal regions and localities. We further contextualized the matrilineal ancestry of modern Norwegians with data from Mesolithic, Iron Age, and historic period populations. RESULTS: Modern Norwegian mtDNAs fell into eight West Eurasian (N, HV, JT, I, U, K, X, W), five East Eurasian (A, F, G, N11, Z), and one African (L2) haplogroups. Pairwise analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) estimates for all Norwegians indicated they were differentiated from each other at 1.68% (p < 0.001). Norwegians within the same dialectal region also showed genetic similarities to each other, although differences between subpopulations within dialectal regions were also observed. In addition, certain mtDNA lineages in modern Norwegians were also found among prehistoric and historic period populations, suggesting some level of genetic continuity over hundreds to many thousands of years. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis of mtDNA diversity provides a detailed picture of the genetic variation within Norway in light of its topography, settlement history, and historical migrations over the past several centuries

Allele · Analysis of molecular variance · Ancient DNA · Archaeology · Biology · Demographic history · Evolutionary biology · Genealogy · Genetic diversity · Genetic structure · Genetic variation · Geography · Haplogroup · Haplotype · Mitochondrial DNA · Norwegian · Population · Prehistory · Sociology · Demography · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Genetics · History · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology