Description
Haplogroup L0d is one of the most ancient surviving mtDNA lineages on Earth, found almost exclusively among the Khoisan peoples of Southern Africa — the San (Bushmen) and Khoekhoe (Hottentot) peoples. L0d represents a lineage that diverged from all other human mtDNA groups hundreds of thousands of years ago and has been maintained in relative isolation in Southern Africa. It is among the most basal lineages in the human mtDNA tree, meaning L0d carriers preserve genetic variants closest to our species' deepest maternal ancestry.
Interesting Fact
The Khoisan people who carry L0d are genetically among the oldest continuous populations on Earth — San hunter-gatherers of Southern Africa show greater genetic diversity within their mtDNA than exists between all other world populations combined, a reflection of their extraordinarily deep evolutionary roots and minimal population bottlenecks throughout history.
Distribution by Ethnicity
| Ethnic distribution | Region | Frequency | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| San (Bushmen) | Southern Africa | n=400 | |
| Khoekhoe | Southern Africa | n=200 | |
| Hadza (Tanzania) | East Africa | n=100 |
Tags
References
- Behar et al. (2008) — The dawn of human matrilineal diversity. American Journal of Human Genetics 82(5), 1130–1140.