GENEALOGY-DNA-L Archives
Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2003-12 > 1070923378
From:
Subject: Re: [DNA] Query on Haplogroups
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 17:43:06 -0500 (EST)
References: <5.2.1.1.2.20031206184109.00b512a8@mail.netvision.net.il>
In-Reply-To: <5.2.1.1.2.20031206184109.00b512a8@mail.netvision.net.il>(message from yair davidiy on Sat, 06 Dec 2003 18:42:50 +0200)
Yair wrote:
> Question: If genetic DNA change only occurs in one person and is then
> transmitted through inheritance to others (as DNA scientists seem to say)
> should not all haplotypes be in the same haplogroup?
No, because the STR markers mutate (these being the markers that we
use for labeling haplotypes) -- and indeed their mutation rate is much
faster than the rate of SNP mutations (which we use for labeling
haplogroups). In the long run, things tend to smear out, but the Four
Horsemen are always at work sharpening the distinctions.
> In order for the changes that define one haplotype from another to take
> place and then for that haplotype to be found in more than one haplogroup
> must not the same changes have occurred to more than one person?
Not entirely, and you've misinterpreted haplotypes. They are not
"defined" -- they just ARE. A haplotype is whatever combination of
markers one individual has. Even with the limited set of markers
used by the YSTR database, there are thousands of different haplotypes
already found.
John Chandler
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