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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup B-M112

B-M112 (YFull B2b)

Macro-haplogroup
B
Parent clade
B-M182
Formed (estimate)
c. 55,000–70,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 15,000–30,000 years ago

Overview

Haplogroup B-M112 is the principal lineage associated with Central African rainforest foragers and one of the most genetically distinct paternal clades in Africa. It forms the backbone of the B2b radiation and is strongly represented among populations such as Mbuti, Biaka, Baka and other forest-dwelling groups who maintain deep ancestry predating major Holocene expansions. Unlike B-M150, which expanded through Sahelian and Bantu-associated networks, B-M112 remained concentrated in ecologically stable forest refugia. This long-term continuity makes B-M112 an essential marker for reconstructing the demography of ancient African foragers and their minimal admixture with later agro-pastoralist systems.

Geographic distribution

B-M112 reaches its highest frequencies in Cameroon, Gabon, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly among Pygmy-associated populations. Eastern African forager groups, including some Hadza and Sandawe individuals, also carry B-M112-derived lineages at low levels. In Southern Africa, the clade appears sporadically among Khoisan-influenced communities, reflecting ancient shared ancestry between forest and savanna foragers. Outside Africa, B-M112 is extremely rare, occasionally recorded in Yemen, Oman and southwestern Saudi Arabia due to historical population exchange across the Red Sea.

Ancient DNA

  • Shum Laka individuals from Cameroon, dated to approximately 8,000 and 3,000 years ago, carried B2b-derived signatures consistent with early B-M112 radiation.
  • Late Stone Age individuals from Malawi show B2b-like lineages, indicating eastward dispersal of ancient forager ancestry.
  • Genomic analyses of early Holocene forest foragers reveal deep continuity between ancient individuals and modern B-M112 carriers.
  • Comparisons of autosomal and uniparental markers confirm that B-M112 represents a long-standing, localized paternal lineage persisting through climatic fluctuations.

Phylogeny & subclades

B-M112 splits into several well-defined branches with strong ecological and geographic structure. Among these, B-M192 and B-M226 represent two major internal radiations. Additional subclades exist but remain less sampled. The branching topology of B-M112 reflects persistent isolation of rainforest foragers combined with occasional contacts with surrounding agricultural or pastoralist populations.

  • B-M192
  • B-M226
  • Minor B-M112 regional clusters

Notes & context

B-M112 is an anchor lineage for understanding the deep population history of Central African forest foragers. Its distribution provides strong evidence of demographic isolation and long-term local continuity, contrasting sharply with the Holocene expansions that shaped much of modern sub-Saharan paternal diversity.