engleski

Genetic structure of Romani populations in Croatia - analysis of autosomal STR loci

Roma population is the largest transnational minority in Europe, made of numerous endogamous groups which share common Indian origin. Based on the history of early migrations to Europe, they might be classified into the Balkan Roma, the Vlax Roma, and the Northern/Western European Roma. In order to capture genetic variation of Roma population in Croatia we analysed 15 autosomal STR loci (AmpFlSTR Identifiler) on 536 Roma belonging to two major migration categories: Balkan and Vlax. Vlax Roma samples comprise individuals from two different linguistic groups (Munteni and Ardeleni). Diversity indices pointed to the lowest diversity among Ardeleni Vlax Roma. Moreover, Fst and Rst genetic distances show closer relationship between Balkan and Munteni Vlax populations than between two Vlax Roma populations. STRUCTURE program analysis revealed the highest deltaK for K=2, assigning Ardeleni Vlax individuals separately. Although it would be expected that Vlax Roma groups cluster together according to migration data, the clustering of Munteni Vlax population closer to Balkan Roma suggests that despite of common migration history the gene pool of Vlax Roma population shows pronounced differentiation, probably due to strict socio- cultural rules of the endogamous groups within migration category. High level of endogamy in Ardeleni Vlax group is also confirmed with our socio-cultural data collected in regard to this population. Due to extremely polymorphic nature of analysed loci further analyses are needed to entirely resolve genetic relations among endogamous Roma groups.

autosomal STR ; autosomal STR ; Romani population

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