Description
Haplogroup C5 (mtDNA) is a subclade of haplogroup C found primarily in South Asia and Central Asia, particularly in Pakistan, northwestern India, and Afghanistan. It is also present at lower frequencies among some Tibetan and East Asian populations. C5 represents a southern branch of the haplogroup C radiation that likely entered South Asia from Central Asia during the Upper Paleolithic or Mesolithic periods. Its presence in the Indian subcontinent is notable as most other C subclades are characteristic of either the Americas or Siberia.
Interesting Fact
C5 is one of the rare C subclades found in South Asia rather than Northeast Asia or the Americas, making it an important lineage for understanding the complex prehistory of migrations through Central Asia and into the Indian subcontinent.
Distribution by Ethnicity
| Ethnic distribution | Region | Frequency | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghans | Central / South Asia | n=300 | |
| Pakistanis | South Asia | n=600 | |
| Tibetans | East Asia / High Asia | n=300 | |
| NW Indians | South Asia | n=800 |
Tags
References
- Metspalu et al. (2004) — Most of the extant mtDNA boundaries in south and southwest Asia were likely shaped during the initial settlement of Eurasia by anatomically modern humans. BMC Genetics 5, 26.