The gene pool of the Europeans, and its diversity, are the result of demographic and evolutionary processes which can be placed with confidence in the last 45,000 year. Before then, Europe was occupied by a human group, the Neandertal people, who almost certainly did not transmit their genes to contemporary people. Current levels and patterns of genetic variation, therefore, reflect phenomena that occurred later. By and large, these patterns are clinal, with genetically differentiated areas in the Southeast and in the Northwest, and somewhat intermediate conditions in geographically intermediate regions. Patterns of mitochondrial DNA are a possible exception.
DNA variation in Europe: Estimating the demographic impact of Neolithic dispersals.
BARBUJANI, Guido;
2003
Abstract
The gene pool of the Europeans, and its diversity, are the result of demographic and evolutionary processes which can be placed with confidence in the last 45,000 year. Before then, Europe was occupied by a human group, the Neandertal people, who almost certainly did not transmit their genes to contemporary people. Current levels and patterns of genetic variation, therefore, reflect phenomena that occurred later. By and large, these patterns are clinal, with genetically differentiated areas in the Southeast and in the Northwest, and somewhat intermediate conditions in geographically intermediate regions. Patterns of mitochondrial DNA are a possible exception.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
