Description
Haplogroup E (mtDNA) is a subclade of macro-haplogroup M found almost exclusively in Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, Indonesia, and the Pacific islands. It is among the characteristic mtDNA lineages of Island Southeast Asian (ISEA) populations and played a significant role in the Austronesian expansion. E is subdivided into E1 and E2, with E1 being particularly common in the Philippines and among Austronesian-speaking populations. It is also present in Melanesia and some Micronesian populations, reflecting the complex population history of the Pacific island region.
Interesting Fact
Haplogroup E is among the best genetic markers of the Austronesian expansion from the Philippines and Taiwan into the Pacific — its distribution closely mirrors the spread of Austronesian languages, which now span an extraordinary range from Madagascar in the west to Easter Island in the east.
Distribution by Ethnicity
| Ethnic distribution | Region | Frequency | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filipinos | Southeast Asia | n=500 | |
| Micronesians | Pacific | n=200 | |
| Indonesians | Southeast Asia | n=700 | |
| Melanesians | Pacific | n=300 |
Tags
References
- Trejaut et al. (2005) — Traces of archaic mitochondrial lineages persist in Austronesian-speaking Formosan populations. PLOS Biology 3(8), e247.