--- In
cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Joao" <josimo70@...> wrote:
> Annals of Human Genetics
> Volume 68 Issue 5 Page 438 - September 2004
> doi:10.1046/j.1529-8817.2003.00119.x Y Chromosome and
Mitochondrial DNA Variation in LithuaniansD. Kasperaviit1, V.
Kuinskas1 and M. Stoneking2 Summary
>
> The genetic composition of the Lithuanian population was
investigated by analysing mitochondrial DNA hypervariable region 1,
RFLP polymorphisms and Y chromosomal biallelic and STR markers in
six ethnolinguistic groups of Lithuanians, to address questions
about the origin and genetic structure of the present day
population. There were no significant genetic differences among
ethnolinguistic groups, and an analysis of molecular variance
confirmed the homogeneity of the Lithuanian population. MtDNA
diversity revealed that Lithuanians are close to both Slavic (Indo-
European) and Finno-Ugric speaking populations of Northern and
Eastern Europe. Y-chromosome SNP haplogroup analysis showed
Lithuanians to be closest to Latvians and Estonians. Significant
differences between Lithuanian and Estonian Y chromosome STR
haplotypes suggested that these populations have had different
demographic histories. We suggest that the observed pattern of Y
chromosome diversity in Lithuanians may be explained by a population
bottleneck associated with Indo-European contact. Different Y
chromosome STR distributions in Lithuanians and Estonians might be
explained by different origins or, alternatively, be the result of
some period of isolation and genetic drift after the population
split.
-----
The question is - who had bigger influence - Estonians for
Lithuanians (Balts), or Balts for Estonians. Estonian lexicon has
great number of Baltic lexis, Baltic languages have just some ones.
Balts were erlier inhabitants (Eastern corded ware) in Northern
Europe, Finno-Ugric archeological cultures came much later (about
600 year later), so Estonians formed in territory, where mixed
populations were living. Middle Latvian population formed from
Lettished Finno-Ugric people - Livonians. So Latvian genetic fond is
not outright clear, it also proves toponymy.
Dont forget theories of Darvin - natural picking and readjustment.
Many genetic changes determined 4000 - 3000 of year living in the
same climatic isolation, natural food, historical turns and etc...
Vytautas