Description
Haplogroup L2a1 is the most common and widely distributed subclade of L2a, itself the most common branch of L2. L2a1 is found across sub-Saharan Africa, with particular concentrations in East African and Bantu-speaking populations. Its broad distribution reflects both ancient African population structure and the dramatic expansion of Bantu-speaking peoples across sub-Saharan Africa beginning around 3,000–4,000 years ago. L2a1 is also common in the African diaspora due to the slave trade, and is among the most frequently detected haplogroups in African-American populations.
Interesting Fact
L2a1 is one of the most successful human mtDNA lineages in terms of modern carrier count, with an estimated 40–50 million carriers worldwide. Its widespread distribution across the African continent and diaspora makes it a powerful tool for tracing Bantu expansion routes and the geographic origins of enslaved Africans brought to the Americas during the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Distribution by Ethnicity
| Ethnic distribution | Region | Frequency | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luba (DR Congo) | Central Africa | n=150 | |
| Kikuyu (Kenya) | East Africa | n=200 | |
| Zulu (South Africa) | Southern Africa | n=200 | |
| Yoruba (Nigeria) | West Africa | n=250 | |
| Afro-Brazilians | South America | n=300 | |
| African Americans | North America | n=500 |
Tags
References
- Salas et al. (2002) — The making of the African mtDNA landscape. American Journal of Human Genetics 71(5), 1082–1111.
- Tishkoff et al. (2009) — The genetic structure and history of Africans and African Americans. Science 324(5930), 1035–1044.