The Dutch Y-chromosomal landscape

Altena, Eveline; Smeding, Risha; van der Gaag, Kristiaan J.; Larmuseau, Maarten H. D.; Decorte, Ronny; Lao Grueso, Oscar, 1976-; Kayser, Manfred; Kraaijenbrink, Thirsa; de Knijff, Peter

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41431-019-0496-0

The Dutch Y-chromosomal landscape

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Altena E, Smeding R, van der Gaag KJ, Larmuseau MHD, Decorte R, Lao O, Kayser M, Kraaijenbrink T, de Knijff P. The Dutch Y-chromosomal landscape. Eur J Hum Genet. 2020; 28(3):287-99. DOI: 10.1038/s41431-019-0496-0

Abstract

Previous studies indicated existing, albeit limited, genetic-geographic population substructure in the Dutch population based on genome-wide data and a lack of this for mitochondrial SNP based data. Despite the aforementioned studies, Y-chromosomal SNP data from the Netherlands remain scarce and do not cover the territory of the Netherlands well enough to allow a reliable investigation of genetic-geographic population substructure. Here we provide the first substantial dataset of detailed spatial Y-chromosomal haplogroup information in 2085 males collected across the Netherlands and supplemented with previously published data from northern Belgium. We found Y-chromosomal evidence for genetic-geographic population substructure, and several Y-haplogroups demonstrating significant clinal frequency distributions in different directions. By means of prediction surface maps we could visualize (complex) distribution patterns of individual Y-haplogroups in detail. These results highlight the value of a micro-geographic approach and are of great use for forensic and epidemiological investigations and our understanding of the Dutch population history. Moreover, the previously noted absence of genetic-geographic population substructure in the Netherlands based on mitochondrial DNA in contrast to our Y-chromosome results, hints at different population histories for women and men in the Netherlands.