"Antemoro", in the Malagasy language, means "people of the coast". They live on the southeastern coast, mostly between Manakara and Farafangana.[1] Antemoro, like the related Antanosy ethnic group, are most likely descendants of Arabs who settled in Madagascar in the 14th century. Their number is estimated to 427,000 (three percent of the population of Madagascar).
Antemoro were once widely reputed for their astrologers, who would predict the future based on lunar phases. They were known all across Madagascar and acted as advisers at the court of many Malagasy kings. The pan-Madagascar tradition of the ombiasy (traditional Malagasy court or village astrologers) is probably rooted in this element of Antemoro culture.
Background:
The Antaimoro tribe, (translated to: people of the coast) they don’t represent a big percentage of the Malagasies (the word for: Madagascar-ians).they’re believed to be the last significant settlement to the island…. In Madagascar’s history they were known –still are- for their knowledge of writing, astrology and “the supernatural”.
They are the ones who introduced script to Madagascar; A few hundred years ago they were the majority of the very few literate in the island. They were known for being Advisors of the Court to many kings, reputable astrologers, Healers/medicine men and most importantly the first indigenous recorders of Malagasy history.
Hook:
Like Malagasy people, the Antaimoros are from multiple origins, the majority are from a lineage that their elders report as follows:
They came from a village far north across the seas called “jedah” Next to “jedah” there is a good city called “Maka” which they love dearly The name of their Great Grandfather is Ramakararo… a great man from “Maka” In “Maka” lives also a great man, the father of Ramakararo, whom they love named “Mohamad” From their male ancestors: Rabakaari, Ramaari and Raothmaani Their Great mother: Rameena.
This sounds intriguing by itself, but it goes on… in the Malagasy language (Ra-) is an article added to names as a sign of greatness. (Ma-) is a prefix used to form adjectives and verbs.
Thus these names properly translate to:
Ra – Ma-Kararo: His Greatness – The – Kararo Ra-Bakari: His Greatness – Bakari Ra-Ma-Ari: His Greatness – The – Ari Ra-Othmaani: His Greatness – Othmani Ra-Meena: Her Greatness- Meena. You might have already noticed how close these names to the Arabic for (Karar, Abubakr, Othman, Omar)… (Jiddah, Makkah).
If you don’t already know: The Karar- is a adjective given to Ali Bin Abu-Talib (r.a.a) because of his bravery in battle, it is still in use to date… Ali bin Abu-Talib is the cousin of the prophet Muhammad (SAAW), as a young child he was adopted by the prophet (saw).
Click here to read about: Abubakr (R.A.A) Omar (R.A.A), Uthman(R.A.A) and Amina (R.A.A)
the names sound astoundingly similar to the first caliphates of islam,
Another astounding thing is, the script they were using hundreds of years ago –and still are- is Quranic Arabic-like script. Yes, the first ever script of literature in Madagascar is the Arabic script; it was later replaced by the Latin script during the French occupation of Madagascar.
The Antaimoros’ holy book is called the “Sorabe”. Till this day, it is written in the arabic-like script and strictly on Antaimoro paper.
Tracing Arab-Islamic Inheritance in Madagascar: Study of the Y-chromosome and Mitochondrial DNA in the Antemoro Mélanie Capredon mail,
Nicolas Brucato,
Laure Tonasso,
Valérie Choesmel-Cadamuro,
François-Xavier Ricaut,
Harilanto Razafindrazaka,
Andriamihaja Bakomalala Rakotondrabe,
Mamisoa Adelta Ratolojanahary,
Louis-Paul Randriamarolaza,
Bernard Champion,
Jean-Michel Dugoujon
Published: Nov 22, 2013 Abstract
Madagascar is located at the crossroads of the Asian and African worlds and is therefore of particular interest for studies on human population migration. Within the large human diversity of the Great Island, we focused our study on a particular ethnic group, the Antemoro. Their culture presents an important Arab-Islamic influence, but the question of an Arab biological inheritance remains unresolved. We analyzed paternal [n=129] and maternal [n=135] lineages of this ethnic group. Although the majority of Antemoro genetic ancestry comes from sub-Saharan African and Southeast Asian gene pools, we observed in their paternal lineages two specific haplogroups [J1 and T1] linked to Middle Eastern origins. This inheritance was restricted to some Antemoro sub-groups. Statistical analyses tended to confirm significant Middle Eastern genetic contribution. This study gives a new perspective to the large human genetic diversity in Madagascar.
Introduction
Many population movements took place across the western Indian Ocean, notably for colonial and commercial purposes, and these have been highlighted through linguistic, crop, cattle, archaeozoological and commensal archaeological data [1–4]. Madagascar possesses a large human genetic diversity inherited principally from Asia and Africa [5–8].
We were interested in a group inhabiting the southeast coast of the Great Island, which have known Arab-Islamic influence. Three major migrations have occurred in this part of the island that could be linked to this Arab-Islamic influence. It is probable that the Onjatsy settled first, followed by the ZafiRaminia around the 13th century, and finally the Antemoro. This last migration may have taken place around the last quarter of the 15th century. The Antemoro would have been able to root their beliefs and traditions in the region as they shared cultural and social similarities with the first migrants in the area [9–11].
A part of the Antemoro claims an Arab origin in Mecca. However, the reference to Mecca might not have referred to a geographic location in the Arabian Peninsula, but to a Muslim identity. Their traditions and history are written in the Sorabe Manuscripts, manuscripts written in Malagasy with Arabic characters. The Antemoro society has a hierarchical system in which political powers and magical and religious affairs are separated. Three main sub-groups can be distinguished according to this structure: the Anteony, the Antalaotra and the Ampanabaka. The Anteony are the descendants of aristocrats, from whom the Antemoro king is chosen. The Antalaotra are in charge of the magical and religious domains; they have the ability to read and write Sorabe [1,9,10,12]. These first two groups can be grouped into the Silamo, because they have the right to undertake the ritual slaughter of animals [Sombily]. The third group, to which the Ampanabaka belongs, is the Kafiry. The Ampanabaka revolt against the government in the late 19th century marked the end of the Antemoro kingdom [12–14].
Although the Arab-Islamic cultural influence is evident, the origins of the Antemoro are still disputed. Some authors state they came from eastern Africa, while others state they were Islamized Malays [1,9,14]. A previous work on an Antemoro population based on the immunological Gm system highlighted an African and a Southeast Asian origin but no Arabic traces [15]. To provide answers to this debate, the biological origins of the Antemoro populations were studied using the non-recombining region of the Y-chromosome [NRY] and mitochondrial DNA [mtDNA] polymorphisms. They were analyzed to determine if they differed from other Malagasy populations and to understand the limits of Arab-Islamic migrations.
our databases were created for the study of paternal lineages [Tables S2-S5 in File S1]. One database compiled Y-haplogroup data available in the literature; it held 131 populations [16892 individuals] and included populations with a large number of individuals [over 50] and some populations from regions of interest. The second database included Y-STR haplotypes based on seven markers [minimal haplotype: DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393], and contained 90 populations [13582 individuals]. These populations are distributed across various regions: southern, central and western Africa [including Mozambique], eastern Africa, northern Africa [including Egypt], the Middle East [including Iran, Turkey and Cyprus], Europe, South Asia, Southeastern Asia, Oceania [Polynesia and New Guinea], the Comoros and Madagascar. For the last two regions, analyses were also made on the 17 Y-STR markers. The third and the fourth databases were created using data specific to two haplogroups found in our populations J1 and T, in order to achieve median-joining networks. With the aim of expanding the database on haplogroups J1 and T, haplogroups were estimated based on minimal haplotypes with Haplogroup Predictor [www.hprg.com/hapest5/]. We also used information from the YHRD database [http://www.yhrd.org/]. We considered haplotypes when their probability of belonging to haplogroup J1 or T was above 90%. Few data are available for the T haplogroup, as its definition is relatively recent [18]. Haplogroup T, previously K2, was in the branch of haplogroup K*. Therefore it has not been systematically tested.
Results
Paternal lineages
Antemoro genetic diversity.
The Ampanabaka [h = 0.98 ± 0.014; 36 haplotypes based on 17 Y-STR] and the Antalaotra [h = 0.98 ± 0.009; 35 haplotypes based on 17 Y-STR] have population genetic diversities within the same order of magnitude as those found generally in populations from southern Madagascar [0.95 ≤ h ≤ 0, 99] [30]. In contrast, the Anteony [h = 0.91 ± 0.028; 21 haplotypes based on 17 Y-STR] were less diverse [Figure 2]. Pairwise FST values between Antemoro populations using 17 Y-STR markers revealed that the Ampanabaka group was strongly differentiated from the Antalaotra [FST = 0.158, p-value <0.01, Table 1] and the Anteony [FST = 0.205, p-value <0.01, Table 1]. The comparison of the Antalaotra and Anteony also showed significant genetic differentiation [FST = 0.124, p-value <0.01, Table 1]. Furthermore, the Ampanabaka did not share any haplotypes with the other two groups. However, the Anteony and Antalaotra shared three haplotypes, corresponding to the haplogroups J1, T1 and E1b1a1.
Haplotype sharing analysis with 17 markers showed that the Anteony and Antalaotra did not share any Y-STR profiles with the Malagasy and Comorian populations. The Ampanabaka shared two profiles [E1b1a and E2b] with one Antandroy and one Antanosy individual, respectively from the southern coast of the Great Island. Three Malagasy populations were not considered for statistical calculations due to the low number of individuals in the sample [N <15; the Merina, Tsimahafotsy and Antaisaka], and the Andriana was excluded as it is an inbred population [6,30]. Nevertheless, the search for shared haplotypes using the 17 Y-STR markers revealed that no lineages were shared between these groups and our Antemoro groups [Tables S9-S11 in File S1].
A MDS plot based on the haplogroup frequencies confirmed these clusters [Figure S1 in File S1]. The Antalaotra appeared poorly differentiated from Malagasy Highlands population [FST = 0.041, p-value <0.05]. Some Antemoro groups differ from other populations from southern Madagascar [6], the southwest coast [30] and the Highlands [5] probably due to the presence of the haplogroups J1 and T1. However, J1 has not been tested in Highlands population. The Antalaotra and the Anteony have a more divergent paternal genetic diversity compared with the other groups analyzed [FST > 0.05, p-value <0.01, Table 1].
Geographic comparison.
Haplogroup O1a2 was found at 16% and 19% in the Ampanabaka and Antalaotra, respectively but it was absent in the Anteony group. Haplogroup O2a was found at around 26% and 5% in the Antalaotra and Anteony respectively, and was absent in the Ampanabaka. These haplogroups are markers of Austronesian migration. O1a2 is found in Indonesian populations in the Southeast Asian islands and at lowest frequency in Oceania [31–33]. Haplogroups O2 and O2a1 are most common in parts of Southeast Asia [31,33], but are also found in India [34]. Haplogroup E1b1a1 was the most represented haplogroup in the Malagasy population [6,30]. It constituted 76% of the Ampanabaka genetic diversity, but only 7% in the Antalaotra and 12% in the Anteony. This haplogroup is very common in African populations. The highest frequencies are found in western Africa [35–37]. Haplogroup E1b1b1 was found in two individuals [one Anteony and one Ampanabaka]. This haplogroup is generally attributed to eastern Africa [35] and it is also found at moderate frequencies in North Africa and the Middle East. Haplogroup E2b was present in an Ampanabaka individual and was present at 7% in the Antalaotra. This haplogroup is also attributed to Africa [38], but has been observed at low frequencies among the Arabs of Oman and Qatar [36,39]. Finally haplogroups B and B2a, found in two Ampanabaka individuals, have an origin in sub-Saharan Africa [18,36]. Haplogroup R1a1was found in one Antalaotra individual. This haplogroup is widely distributed in Europe, with high frequencies in eastern Europe and India, and with a recent introduction into Saudi Arabia linked to historic trade routes [40,41]. Haplogroup J2 was present at a frequency of 2% in the Ampanabaka and 7% in the Antalaotra. The J1 clade [xJ1a, xJ1b] was absent in the Ampanabaka group, but present in the Antalaotra [16%] and the Anteony [25%]. Haplogroup J is the most common haplogroup in the Middle East [42]. J2 haplogroups would have diffused northward in Europe and Asia [36,43]. J1[xJ1a, xJ1b] is a marker of recent Arab expansion in the Arabian Peninsula, and the northern and northeastern parts of Africa [43]. It has been observed at very low frequencies in southern and Southeast Asia [33,34]. Haplogroup T1 was not found in the Ampanabaka group, only in the Antalaotra [9%] and the Anteony [55%] groups. Clade T is rare but it has a very broad distribution. T1 is found mainly in the Middle East [Palestine, Lebanon, Oman, Turkey, southern Iran], North Africa [Egypt, Morocco], sub-Saharan Africa [especially in eastern Africa: Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda], and Europe [18,36,44–49]. It has also been described in India and China [34,40,50].
The search for shared haplotypes [Tables S12-14 in File S1] was based on the Y-STR core haplotype database. Although it contains an obvious bias due to the relatively low number of markers raising the probability of homoplasy, it allows a wide spectrum of possible shared haplotypes to be determined. It showed that the haplotypes corresponding to haplogroup E1b1a were found mainly in people from southern, central and western Africa. The Ampanabaka haplotype belonging to E1b1a was found in one population out of eastern Africa, two populations from northern Africa and five populations from the Middle East. It was also found in two populations from Southeast Asia, but these haplotypes did not belong to haplogroup E due to the previously explained bias. The Anteony haplotype belonging to E1b1b1 haplogroup was found in populations from Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Haplotypes belonging to E2b haplogroup are shared with people from Africa and from some Middle Eastern populations. B haplotypes were found in African samples. Haplotypes under haplogroup O1a2 were found mainly in Southeast Asia. Antemoro haplotypes in the background of haplogroup O2a1 were shared with individuals from Southeast Asia and India. We should note that a haplotype belonging to O2a1 haplogroup was also found in Uganda and another in Europe. Haplotypes belonging to R1a1 were found in a population from northern Africa, a population from Southeast Asia, four populations from the Middle East and in six Indian populations. It is probable that its arrival in Madagascar is linked with trade movements between Arabia and India [41]. Haplotypes associated with J2 were found in eastern Africa, the Middle East and India. The ones associated with J1 were shared with various populations from northern Africa [2], the Middle East [6], India [3] and Europe [1]. Finally, haplotypes corresponding to T1 haplogroup were shared with a population from Africa and various populations from the Middle East [6], Southeast Asia [6] and Europe [1]. We note that no T haplogroup was described in our database of haplogroup frequencies in Southeast Asia. Thus, these haplotypes may correspond to lineages from closed haplogroups [S1; O2b1a, M1a and M]. This is also the case for the R1b haplogroup found in Europe. Thus, four lineages [T1, J1, J2 and E1b1b1] were found mainly in the Middle East regions.
Admixture.
The presence of haplogroups with Middle Eastern genetic origins in the Anteony and Antalaotra, which were not found in other the Malagasy populations used in our comparisons, suggests a ‘Malagasy background’ with Arabian traces in the Antemoro. Two admixture estimates were carried out using haplogroup frequencies [mY] or Y-STR core haplotypes [MLE] of the three Antemoro groups and eight parental populations, geographic groups that could have directly or indirectly affected the genetic diversity of the Antemoro. The structure of these groups was validated by an AMOVA test [FCT = 0.238; FSC = 0.122, p-value < 0.001].
The MLE and mY estimations, based on two different databases, converge toward the same interpretation. Although the percentages are different, considering the intervals of confidence, the tendencies of contributions are similar [Table 1]. They show that two geographic groups are present in the Ampanabaka gene pool: the western/central/southern Africa group and Southeast Asian. It appears that three regions contribute to the gene pool of the Antalaotra and Anteony. In the Antalaotra group, we found African contributions, especially from eastern Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. In the Anteony group there were the same contributions but in different proportions [Table 2].
Two Median-Joining Networks were computed using data on the minimal haplotypes [DYS19, DYS389i, DYS389ii, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393] in order to localize the Antemoro haplotypes belonging to clades J1 and T, relative to the haplotypes of these same clades in various geographic areas [Figures 6 and 7]. By using the minimal haplotype, the Antemoro diversity of the haplogroup J1 is reduced to one haplotype. It was observed that this lineage was not positioned at the end of a branch [Figure 6]. This haplotype is found in populations from the Middle East [Cyprus, Turkey and Palestine]. On the network, the Antemoro were connected to individuals from Turkey, Cyprus, Palestine, Comoros, Dagestan, Iraq, Italy, Portugal, Qatar, Kuwait, southern Pakistan, Syria, Israel, Lebanon, Arabic, Comoros, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Portuguese Jews. For haplotypes belonging to clade T [Figure 7], it also appeared that the Antemoro were not positioned at the ends of branches. Two Antemoro haplotypes were found in the Middle East [Israel, Lebanon and Palestine]. Another haplotype was similar to an individual from Angola. These lineages were linked to individuals from Israel, Spain and Lebanon and on the outgoing branches Antemoro lineages were connected to individuals from Europe, Brazil, Zambia, northern Africa and Lebanon.
Antemoro genetic diversity.
The Ampanabaka revealed the lowest genetic diversity [h= 0.9379 [+/-0.0213]; 22 haplotypes], while the Anteony have the highest [h= 0.9741 [+/- 0.0095], 29 haplotypes] and the Antalaotra have a genetic diversity indice in between [h=0.9513 [+/- 0.0189], 22 haplotypes]. The distribution of mitochondrial haplogroups revealed the presence of haplogroups from Southeast Asia usually found in Madagascar. We found the haplogroup B4a1a1a2 that is associated with the Malagasy motif [nt C1473T] [7]. It was present at 25% in the Ampanabaka, 23% in the Antalaotra and 11% in the Anteony [Figure 3].
There was no significant difference in the maternal genetic diversity among the three Antemoro groups [-0.00918 < FST <0.00659, p-value not significant]. They shared six mitochondrial haplotypes [D-Loop: 16024-236, combined HVI and HVII]. The Ampanabaka shared six haplotypes with the Anteony and two with the Antalaotra; these last two groups shared only two haplotypes.
Geographic comparison.
Haplogroup E1a1a constituted 4% of the haplogroup diversity in the Ampanabaka, 3% in the Antalaotra and was absent in the Anteony. Its origin has been attributed to the Islands in Southeast Asia [ISEA] [51]. Haplogroup F3b was present at 6% in the Ampanabaka and 13% in the two other groups. This haplogroup was found in Southeast Asia, and has been described mainly in the Philippines and Borneo [52]. Two haplogroups belonging to clade M were highlighted. The haplogroup M7c3c is an Asian haplogroup. It was found at 10%, 5% and 2% in the Ampanabaka, Antalaotra and Anteony, respectively. These haplogroups, along with O1a for Y lineages, are markers for the ‘Out of Taiwan’ expansion to Borneo during the mid-Holocene [52]. The haplogroup M32c, formerly known as M46 [52], was found at 2% in the Ampanabaka, 8% in the Antalaotra and 2% in the Anteony. Another clade belonging to the haplogroup M was deduced from the HVI and HVII regions as the branch Q1. It was found in one Anteony individual. This is a very common haplogroup in New Guinea and Melanesia [53]. Finally, haplogroup M23, belonging to the M branch, was found at a frequency of 4% in the Ampanabaka, 13% in the Antalaotra and 11% in the Anteony. The origin of this haplogroup is not clearly defined, although a west Eurasian contribution had been postulated. The haplogroup M23 is relatively ancient and is found throughout Madagascar [8]. This Asian component was associated with a significant African component. We highlighted lineages belonging to the clades L0, L2 and L3 [xMN]. L0a1'4 was present at 6% in the Ampanabaka, 5% in the Antalaotra and 8% in the Anteony. It was found at various frequencies throughout the African continent. The subdivision L0a is found mainly in the south, with the highest frequencies in Ethiopia [54,55]. It has been described in coastal populations of southeastern Madagascar [6]. The haplogroup L2a1 represented 10%, 5% and 15% of the diversity in the Ampanabaka, Antalaotra and Anteony, respectively. The haplogroup L2a is the most common haplogroup in Africa [56,57]. Finally, the clade L3 was the most represented clade: 31% in the Ampanabaka, 28% in the Antalaotra and 36% in the Anteony. The highest frequencies were found in northern and eastern Africa, but it was ubiquitous on the continent. We distinguished the branch L3a, found in an Anteony individual, defined by the positions 152 and 16316 on the D-Loop. It was found throughout the African continent with the highest frequencies in East Africa [57]. The L3b [Ampanabaka 13%, Antalaotra 15% and Anteony 17%] and L3d [Ampanabaka 2%, Anteony 2%] were most common in western and northern Africa [55,57]. The haplogroup L3e [Ampanabaka 16%, Antalaotra 13% and Anteony 12%] is the oldest L3 clade [57] and has an origin in central Africa and/or Sudan [58]. Finally, an Anteony individual was defined as L3k, by the mutation in 235 of HVII. It was found in individuals from northern Africa [55].
Regarding shared haplotypes using the HVI data [Tables S19-S21 in File S1]; we found that haplotypes belonging to haplogroup B4a1a1 were shared with people from Southeast Asia and Oceania. M7c3c haplotypes were also found in Southeast Asian and Oceanian populations. One of our M32c haplotypes was found in two Southeast Asian populations. Haplotypes corresponding to the branch E1a were not shared by any of the individuals of our database. The estimated haplotype Q1 did not share any haplotype with populations from Asia or Oceania in our database, regions where this haplotype is normally found. However, it corresponds to a HVI/HVII sequence found in Saudi Arabia potentially belonging to haplogroup Q1. In fact the presence of this haplogroup in Arabia was probably due to recent arrivals in the first half of the 20th century when many Indonesian women were hired for labour [59]. Concerning M23 haplotypes, one of the sequences corresponded to an individual in Dubai set to M*.
For the L clade, Ampanabaka haplotype L0a was found in populations from southern Africa, eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. L2a1 haplotypes were found throughout the African continent and some were present in the Middle East. Concerning the clade L3, one L3b haplotype was found in Guinea-Bissau and Saudi Arabia, and the other was found in Berbers from Morocco and the Hadza from Tanzania. The L3d haplotype was shared by individuals from seven populations from central and southwest Africa, two populations from east Africa and three from the Middle East. L3e1a and L3e1b were found mainly in central and southwest Africa but also in some populations from eastern and northern Africa. One L3e3 haplotype was shared with African and Middle Eastern populations. Finally, the L3k haplotype was not found in our database.
FST values were calculated between the Antemoro, Malagasy populations and populations from various geographic regions [central, western and southern Africa, eastern Africa, northern Africa, the Middle East, southern Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, Europe] [Table S15 in File S1]. We observed low levels of differentiation between the Antemoro and populations from Southeast Asia such as in Banjarmasin [South Kalimantan], Malays from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Sumatra and the Philippines [0.025 < FST <0.05, p-value <0.05]. The Ampanabaka and Antalaotra had low differentiation from African populations [Senegal, Kenya, Ethiopia] [0.04 < FST <0.057, p-values <0.05]. The Anteony had a more important African component. They showed low differentiation [0.028 < FST <0.050, p-value <0.05] from populations from eastern Africa [Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya], central and western Africa [Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Benin, Ivory Coast] and northern Africa [Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt]. Finally, these three groups had low FST values when they were compared with individuals from Dubai, Yemen [0.035 < FST <0.055] and northeast India [Tripura] [0.056 < FST <0.064]. These results were visualized on the three MDS plots calculated for each major geographic region [Figure S5 in File S1]; in each, Malagasy populations were clustered together.
Discussion
Comparison of NRY results and historic data
The analysis revealed that paternal lineages in the three Antemoro groups were highly differentiated from each other [Table 1]. The genetic diversity of the Anteony was low. A low genetic diversity within a population suggests that the population would have experienced few migrations, but important genetic drift or selection pressures. In this study, inbreeding associated with a patrilineal society may have contributed to a reduction of the diversity. Historical factors should have also played a role in the reduction of the genetic diversity. In addition to the arrival of a small number of migrants, some lineages probably disappeared or were replaced due to the many conflicts and revolts of these groups between the 17th and the 20th centuries [60]. The Anteony are genetically highly differentiated from all other Malagasy groups. Analysis of haplogroup diversity allowed us to understand these differences between the former Antemoro aristocrat caste and the other Malagasy groups. The Anteony differed because of the presence in very high frequency of both haplogroups J1 and T1 [note that the SNP which defined haplogroup J1 was not tested in the Highlands].
The Antalaotra showed the highest genetic diversity, the result of numerous migrations creating a larger population, thereby reducing the phenomena of genetic drift and selection [60]. The Antalaotra is a heterogeneous group as it includes many other subdivisions according to the literature and the participants. These subgroups seem to have different geographical origins. Moreover, the Antalaotra were extensive travelers, who were known to transmit knowledge and charms in Madagascar [61]. Compare to other Malagasy groups, the Antalaotra show little differentiation from the Malagasy Highlands population [Table S8 in File S1]. However, for the Highlands population, data on Y-STR were not available and therefore analysis of shared haplotypes could not be made. We could only note that for the few available profiles from the Merina in this region, no haplotypes were shared based on the 17 markers. Contact between the Highlands and especially the Merina has been described, for example, in the beginning of the 19th century [62]. The very high proportion of Asian lineages in the Antalaotra group may correspond to extensive admixture with the ‘Malagasy’ genetic diversity already in the area when the Antemoro migration occurred. A second hypothesis would be that their origin is Islamized Island Southeast Asia, a population carrying Middle East lineages and a main Southeast Asian genetic background. Nevertheless, even if sampling bias cannot be excluded, comparative analysis with our database preferentially linked J1 and T1 haplogroups to a direct Southwestern origin. We also noted that some haplotypes in the background of haplogroups E1b1a, T1 and J1 were shared between the Anteony and Antalaotra, highlighting similar origins or relatively recent interbreeding. If we consider ethnological studies, the Antemoro practiced strict endogamy until recently [12], so genetic diversity would be reduced by the effect of drift, which is not the case in the Antalaotra. The genetic diversity found in the Antalaotra should have been brought with the Antemoro migration.
The Ampanabaka did not share any haplotypes, based on 17 Y-STR markers, with the other two Antemoro groups. The admixture computation confirmed that the Ampanabaka had a genetic diversity close to that of the Bantu, and also contributions from southeastern Asia; this can be shown just by observing the haplogroup compositions. Compared with other populations from Madagascar available in the literature, the Ampanabaka showed a ‘Malagasy’ genetic diversity and presented little differentiation from the Antanosy and southern Vezo. We should note that the Antanosy, according to oral tradition, were descendants of Islamized individuals, called the ZafiRaminia, from the previous migration. Moreover, contact between groups from the Menabe, the Sakalava on the west coast of Madagascar and the Antemoro have been highlighted by some authors [63]. The Ampanabaka shared a haplotype [17 Y-STR] with an Antanosy [E2b] and an Antandroy [E1b1a].The haplogroup diversity of the Ampanabaka agrees with that generally found in Madagascar: a high proportion of E1b1a associated with an important presence of haplogroup O1a2. These individuals could have been ‘Malagasy groups’ migrating to place under the authority of the Antemoro kingdom.
Haplogroup J1 is predominant in Middle East, and also very frequent in North and Northeast Africa, Europe, India and Pakistan [42][64][65]. The T1 haplogroup, found at very low frequency in the world, seems to have a Southwestern Asia origin and to be associated with many demographic processes such as the spread of agriculture, the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles and the Jewish Diaspora [49]. Its presence in eastern Asia could be due to commercial and cultural exchanges via the former Silk Road [50]. Currently, it is found mainly in the Middle East but also in eastern Africa, northern Africa and probably in other regions that have been in contact with these geographic areas. However, the J1 Median-Joining network on the minimal haplotype showed that the J1 haplotype in the Antemoro corresponded exactly to those found in individuals from Cyprus, Turkey and Palestine [Figure 6] and was close to some haplotypes from the Comoros. The study by Msaidie [2010] [43] on Comoros populations showed the presence of haplogroups J1 in this area and the author deduced from Comoros populations haplogroup frequencies analysis that the gene flow would be compatible with an origin from Iran. We can thus assume that these haplotypes appear to have a common genetic origin. The Median-Joining network for T1 haplotypes links these lineages to Israel, Lebanon and Palestine. These results are also consistent with the low FST values between Anteony and Antalaotra and populations from Middle East/Southwest Asia. The combination of these two lineages [J1 and T1] tends to converge to an origin in the Persian Gulf or Middle East.
Comparison of mtDNA and historic data
Analysis of maternal lineages revealed haplogroups usually found in Madagascar. The vast majority of HVI haplotypes were shared with at least one Malagasy population from the south and the Highlands. This result reflects the existence of many intra-population movements and extensive interbreeding in Madagascar. Genetic diversity was very homogeneous and suggests important recent arrivals; the ‘Polynesian motif’ [especially the ‘Malagasy’ motif] was found among others, reflecting the migration of Austronesian Malays most especially in the Antalaotra group. The genetic diversity of the Antemoro most especially for the Anteony, was also very close to African populations [Kenya and Senegal; Table S15 in File S1].
The analysis of the maternal gene pool revealed the absence of haplogroups typically found in the Middle East. This result agrees with the Antemoro tradition of migrant men finding a wife on the Great Island or that the wives were “transported” from Eastern African coast. Also during these centuries, men dominated trade and campaigns of religious conversions. The maternal heritage of the three Antemoro groups was not significantly differentiated from other Malagasy populations.
Conclusions
If we assume that early migration across the Indian Ocean involved regions from ISEA, the African eastern coast and Southwestern Asia [Middle East] [1,4], the fact that only two genetic Y-haplogroups in the Antemoro population have Middle Eastern genetic origin can lead to three hypotheses: [1] A sampling bias: more samples from Antemoro groups enable the discovery of other representative haplogroups of this geographic region. [2] Those haplogroups were introduced in Madagascar before the Antemoro settlement. So the migration would come from East African or Southeast Asian regions in which these haplogroups were already diluted in an African or Southeast Asian genetic diversity. In that case a bias in the database we used to perform our comparisons is possible. Or [3] there was a founder effect in some Middle Eastern male lineages, and only some are currently still present.
This study has highlighted a Middle Eastern biological trace in Madagascar consistent with the Middle Eastern cultural tradition of the population involved. The results of the Antemoro gene pool analysis suggest a Middle Eastern origin to some of the Y chromosome variation associated specifically with haplogroups J1 and T1, but this does not exclude an origin of this variation from unsampled/not studied African or Southeastern Asian populations. However, there is no Middle Eastern origin for the mtDNA gene pool. Nevertheless, this link is based on very few haplogroups, and the ethnogenesis and origin of all Antemoro groups, as well as the genetic impact of Middle Eastern populations around the Indian Ocean fringe during the last millennium remain open to discussion. Although, genetic analyses do not prove or refute a single theory concerning the geographical origin of the Antemoro, this study has suggested a Middle Eastern biological trace in the southeast coast of Madagascar. A study of the genetic contribution of Malagasy people from the two previous migrations to the coast [Onjatsy and ZafiRaminia] would be necessary. The groups in the north of the island where Arab trading posts have been described could also be of particular interest. The Antemoro migration would have arrived in the north in Vohemar before moving along the Malagasy coast to the south. Moreover, more data from archipelagos like the Kilwa islands would allow us to possibly relate the Antemoro migrations to the history of these areas. Gathering information on population movement from Middle East/Southwest Asia around the Indian Ocean would also be necessary. Futures objectives for studies on Malagasy populations will be to work at a genome wide scale in order to infer more accurate proportions and dates of admixture.
Troll Patrol aka Ish Gebor Member # 18264
posted
Interesting study, the more Hg J is being studied the more it shows the Arabian Peninsula is actually a direct African subset. Meaning the close historic relation.
quote: The extraction of DNA from saliva samples was performed following the protocol provided with the Oragene DNA kits (Oragene Genotek http://www.dnagenotek.com). DNA was typed for 17 Y-chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STR) loci (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385a, DYS385b, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458 , DYS635, GATAH4) using the AmpFlSTR ® Y-filer kit (Applied Biosystems http://www.invitrogen.com).
quote: Sub-Saharan African Y chromosome diversity is represented by five main haplogroups (hgs): A, B, E, J, and R (Underhill et al. 2001; Cruciani et al. 2002; Tishkoff et al. 2007).
Hgs J and R are geographically restricted to eastern and central Africa, respectively, whereas hg E shows a wider continental distribution (see also Berniell-Lee et al. 2009; Cruciani et al. 2010).
[...]
All the samples included here were genotyped for ten STRs: DYS19, DYS389-I, DYS389-II (the allele reported in supplementary table S1, Supplementary Material online, has been obtained by subtracting the DYS389-I allele), DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438, and DYS439. A subset of the samples was tested for an additional five loci (DYS448, DYS456, DYS458 , DYS635, and Y-GATA-H4). In the statistical analyses, specific loci (DYS385, DYS389-II, DYS390, DYS448, and DYS635) were excluded due to allelic homoplasy as reported in the NIST Y-STR Fact Sheets (see Web resources in Acknowledgments). Following this, eight STR loci were used in both phylogeographic and intralineage analyses in order to maintain broad population coverage.
[...]
The starting set of markers comprised the 8 STRs used for Network analysis and diversity estimates and was extended to 11 by including DYS456, DYS458 , and YGATA-H4 loci. Due to multistep correction, different sets of STRs were used (supplementary table S7, Supplementary Material online), and the average mutation rate was estimated using locus-specific values (YHRD, release33; Willuweit et al. 2007).
--Chiara Batini † et al.
Signatures of the Preagricultural Peopling Processes in Sub-Saharan Africa as Revealed by the Phylogeography of Early Y Chromosome Lineages
Mol Biol Evol (2011) 28 (9): 2603-2613. doi: 10.1093/molbev/msr089 First published online: April 4, 2011
quote:Originally posted by Troll Patrol aka Ish Gebor: [QB] Interesting study, the more Hg J is being studied the more it shows the Arabian Peninsula is actually a direct African subset. Meaning the close historic relation.
So then most modern Egyptians are basically Africans
J 32%
Luis/Cavalli-Sforza, 2004
Troll Patrol aka Ish Gebor Member # 18264
posted
quote:Originally posted by the lioness,:
quote:Originally posted by Troll Patrol aka Ish Gebor: [QB] Interesting study, the more Hg J is being studied the more it shows the Arabian Peninsula is actually a direct African subset. Meaning the close historic relation.
So then most modern Egyptians are basically Africans
J 32%
Luis/Cavalli-Sforza, 2004
Depending on the location/ region and segment of the population, that could indeed be the case. And the question again because what are loci and alleles. J by itself is basically meaningless.
Not so strange, seen from a historical perspective.
More about, Madagascar.
quote: Abstract
Past research on Madagascar indicates that village communities were established about AD 500 by people of both Indonesian and East African heritage. Evidence of earlier visits is scattered and contentious. Recent archaeological excavations in northern Madagascar provide evidence of occupational sites with microlithic stone technologies related to foraging for forest and coastal resources. A forager occupation of one site dates to earlier than 2000 B.C., doubling the length of Madagascar’s known occupational history, and thus the time during which people exploited Madagascar’s environments. We detail stratigraphy, chronology, and artifacts from two rock shelters. Ambohiposa near Iharana (Vohémar) on the northeast coast, yielded a stratified assemblage with small flakes, microblades, and retouched crescentic and trapezoidal tools, probably projectile elements, made on cherts and obsidian, some brought more that 200 km. 14C dates are contemporary with the earliest villages. No food remains are preserved. Lakaton’i Anja near Antsiranana in the north yielded several stratified assemblages. The latest assemblage is well dated to A.D. 1050–1350, by 14C and optically stimulated luminescence dating and pottery imported from the Near East and China. Below is a series of stratified assemblages similar to Ambohiposa. 14C and optically stimulated luminescence dates indicate occupation from at least 2000 B.C. Faunal remains indicate a foraging pattern. Our evidence shows that foragers with a microlithic technology were active in Madagascar long before the arrival of farmers and herders and before many Late Holocene faunal extinctions. The differing effects of historically distinct economies must be identified and understood to reconstruct Holocene histories of human environmental impact.
Stone tools and foraging in northern Madagascar challenge Holocene extinction models
Robert E. Dewara,1, Chantal Radimilahyb, Henry T. Wrightc,d,2, Zenobia Jacobse, Gwendolyn O. Kellyf, and Francesco Bernag
Published online before print July 15, 2013, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1306100110 PNAS July 15, 2013
the lioness, Member # 17353
posted
Tracing Arab-Islamic Inheritance in Madagascar: Study of the Y-chromosome and Mitochondrial DNA in the Antemoro
quote:Originally posted by Troll Patrol aka Ish Gebor: Interesting study, the more Hg J is being studied the more it shows the Arabian Peninsula is actually a direct African subset. Meaning the close historic relation.
and you think this is what the article is saying that J1 in Arabia came from Africa not the other way around
Troll Patrol aka Ish Gebor Member # 18264
posted
quote:Originally posted by the lioness,: Tracing Arab-Islamic Inheritance in Madagascar: Study of the Y-chromosome and Mitochondrial DNA in the Antemoro
quote:Originally posted by Troll Patrol aka Ish Gebor: Interesting study, the more Hg J is being studied the more it shows the Arabian Peninsula is actually a direct African subset. Meaning the close historic relation.
and you think this is what the article is saying that J1 in Arabia came from Africa not the other way around
In this case they likely speak of Hg J from Arabia.
But it's not sure, because some of the studies I've posted haven't been included. If these were included, it would have changed the subject matter. Certainly since the alleles can be found in "older" sub-Saharan populations. Who carry ancestral clades to J-M267.
M168 => M89 => J-M267.
the lioness, Member # 17353
posted
quote:Originally posted by Troll Patrol aka Ish Gebor:
quote:Originally posted by the lioness,: [qb] Tracing Arab-Islamic Inheritance in Madagascar: Study of the Y-chromosome and Mitochondrial DNA in the Antemoro
quote:Originally posted by Troll Patrol aka Ish Gebor: Interesting study, the more Hg J is being studied the more it shows the Arabian Peninsula is actually a direct African subset. Meaning the close historic relation.
and you think this is what the article is saying that J1 in Arabia came from Africa not the other way around
In this case they likely speak of Hg J from Arabia.
So when I posted the article and you said
" interesting study, the more Hg J is being studied the more it shows the Arabian Peninsula is actually a direct African subset. Meaning the close historic relation."
you were being facetious ?
Troll Patrol aka Ish Gebor Member # 18264
posted
quote:Originally posted by the lioness,:
quote:Originally posted by Troll Patrol aka Ish Gebor:
quote:Originally posted by the lioness,: [qb] Tracing Arab-Islamic Inheritance in Madagascar: Study of the Y-chromosome and Mitochondrial DNA in the Antemoro
quote:Originally posted by Troll Patrol aka Ish Gebor: Interesting study, the more Hg J is being studied the more it shows the Arabian Peninsula is actually a direct African subset. Meaning the close historic relation.
and you think this is what the article is saying that J1 in Arabia came from Africa not the other way around
In this case they likely speak of Hg J from Arabia.
So when I posted the article and you said
" interesting study, the more Hg J is being studied the more it shows the Arabian Peninsula is actually a direct African subset. Meaning the close historic relation."
you were being facetious ?
No, I am being factual.
M168 => M89 => J-M267.
J-M267 alleles and loci!!!!
As was posted before:
"Phylogeographic analysis points to either a Middle East or East African origin" G. Ferri et al. / Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series 1 (2008) 203–205
Sub-Saharan African Y chromosome diversity is represented by five main haplogroups (hgs): A, B, E, J, and R (Underhill et al. 2001; Cruciani et al. 2002; Tishkoff et al. 2007).
Hgs J and R are geographically restricted to eastern and central Africa, respectively, whereas hg E shows a wider continental distribution (see also Berniell-Lee et al. 2009; Cruciani et al. 2010).
the lioness, Member # 17353
posted
So after I posted an article on Madesgascar you said "interesting study"your comment wasn't about the article I posted it was about other articles
Troll Patrol aka Ish Gebor Member # 18264
posted
quote:Originally posted by the lioness,: So after I posted an article on Madesgascar you said "interesting study"your comment wasn't about the article I posted it was about other articles
No, the comment was a about the article. And what I posted was additional info to that study.
In order to get clear vision on that study, you need to collect other data as well. And look at it from a historic perspective. And genetically from a locus allele perspective. Archeological and anthropological perspective.
We, now know two things, there was recent migration and there was ancient intrusion going back a least 2 B.C.
We also know that Tanzania had a early Islam adoption, from Yemen. The map I've posted shows a migration route from Tanzania to Madagascar.
We also know that certain alleles were already present amongst sub-Saharan populations (as was cited already), found amongst and in Hg J.
So, in order to understand whether this Hg J evolved indigenous or came as a bottleneck depends on these alleles and loci. Or perhaps a combination. It's not ruled out.
posted 
