Haplogroup H (mtDNA)

Projected spatial frequency distribution of haplogroup H1

H1 encompasses an important fraction of Western European mtDNA lineages, reaching its local peak among contemporary Basques (27.8%). The clade also occurs at high frequencies elsewhere in the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in the Maghreb (Tamazgha). The haplogroup frequency is above 10% in many other parts of Europe (France, Sardinia, parts of the British Isles, Alps, large portions of Eastern Europe), and surpasses 5% in nearly all of the continent.[1] Its H1b subclade is most common in eastern Europe and NW Siberia.[22]

As of 2010, the highest frequency of the H1 subclade has been found among the Tuareg inhabiting the Fezzan region in Libya (61%).[23] The basal H1* haplogroup is found among the Tuareg inhabiting the Gossi area in Mali (4.76%).[24]

The rare H1cb subclade is concentrated among Fulani groups inhabiting the Sahel.[25]

Haplogroup H has been found in various fossils that were analysed for ancient DNA, including specimens associated with the Linearbandkeramik culture (H1e, Halberstadt-Sonntagsfeld, 1/22 or ~5%; H1 or H1au1b, Karsdorf, 1/2 or 50%), Germany Middle Neolithic (H1e1a, Esperstedt, 1/1 or 100%), Iberia Early Neolithic (H1, El Prado de Pancorbo, 1/2 or 50%), Iberia Middle Neolithic (H1, La Mina, 1/4 or 25%), and Iberia Chalcolithic (H1t, El Mirador Cave, 1/12 or ~8%).[26] Haplogroup H has been observed in ancient Guanche fossils excavated in Gran Canaria and Tenerife on the Canary Islands, which have been radiocarbon-dated to between the 7th and 11th centuries CE. At the Tenerife site, these clade-bearing individuals were found to belong to the H1cf subclade (1/7; ~14%); at the Gran Canaria site, the specimens carried the H2a subhaplogroup (1/4; 25%).[27] Additionally, ancient Guanche (Bimbaches) individuals excavated in Punta Azul, El Hierro, Canary Islands were all found to belong to the H1 maternal subclade. These locally born individuals were dated to the 10th century and carried the H1-16260 haplotype, which is exclusive to the Canary Islands and Algeria.[28]

Frequencies of haplogroup H1 in the world (Ottoni et al. 2010)

H3 is found throughout the whole of Europe and in the Maghreb but does not exist in the Far East ,[1] and is believed to have originated among Mesolithic hunter-gatherers in south-western Europe between 9 000 and 11 000 years ago. H3 represents the second largest fraction of the H genome after H1 and has a somewhat similar distribution, with peaks in Portugal, Spain, Scandinavia and Finland. It is common in Portugal (12%), Sardinia (11%), Galicia (10%), the Basque country (10%), Ireland (6%), Norway (6%), Hungary (6%) and southwestern France (5%).[1][29][30] Studies have suggested haplogroup H3 is highly protective against AIDS progression.[31]

Example of H3 sub-groups are:[30]

• H3a and H3g, found in north-west Europe;
• H3b and H3k, found in the British Isles and Catalonia;
• H3c, found in Western Europe, including among the Basques;
• H3h, found throughout northern Europe, including the remains of Cerdic (519 to 534), King of Wessex;[32]
• H3i found in Ireland and Scotland;
• H3j found in Italy;
• H3v found especially in Germanic countries and;
• H3z found in Atlantic Europe.

The basal H3* haplogroup is found among the Tuareg inhabiting the Gossi area in Mali (4.76%).[24]

H5 may have evolved in West Asia, where it is most frequent and diverse in the Western Caucasus. However, its H5a subclade has a stronger representation in Europe, though at low levels.[33]

The H2, H6 and H8 haplogroups are somewhat common in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus.[21] They may be the most common H subclades among Central Asians and have also been found in West Asia.[22] H2a5 has been found in the Basque Country, Spain,[34] and in Norway, Ireland and Slovakia.[3] H6a1a1a is common among Ashkenazi Jews.[35]

These H4, H7 and H13 subhaplogroups are present in both Europe and West Asia; the H13 subclade is also found in the Caucasus; H13c was found in a 9,700 year old sample in Mesolithic Georgia.[36] They are quite rare.[21] H4 is often found in the Iberian peninsula,[34] Britain and Ireland.

H4 and H13, along with H2 account for 42% of the hg H lineages in Egypt.[37]

Haplogroup H10 is subclade which came into existence between 6,300 and 10,900 years ago. Its descendant branches are H10a H10b H10c H10d H10e H10f H10g and H10h.[38]

Haplogroup H10e has been found at a neolithic site, namely the Bom Santo cave near Lisbon. This is the oldest sample of H10 which has ever been found and it has been dated to 3735 BCE (+- 45 years).[39]

H11 is commonly found in Central Europe.[34]

H18 occurs on the Arabian Peninsula. [40]

These haplogroups are both found in the Caucasus region.[33] H20 also appears at low levels in the Iberian Peninsula (less than 1%), Arabian Peninsula (1%) and Near East (2%).[40]

These subclades are found mostly in Europe, South-West Asia and Central Asia.

For example:H53.

H53*, H53a, H53a1, H53b, H53c in Yfull. (found in Basques "probably a basque marker", Irish, Germans, Belarussian, Polish, Amazigh (found in Algeria by Zheng), Canary Islands (found in ancient guanches by Rosa Fregel) probably related with the "Iberomaurusian culture" in North Africa and the ancestors of the Amazigh people.

Also related with the Xinjiang (found in Uyghurs by Zheng), and probably is related with the "Early Agriculture expansion in Central Asia, and far away".