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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup B-M150

B-M150

Macro-haplogroup
B
Parent clade
B-M182
Formed (estimate)
c. 45,000–60,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 10,000–20,000 years ago

Overview

Haplogroup B-M150 is a major subclade within the broader B-M182 lineage and represents one of the most widely distributed B lineages across sub-Saharan Africa. It differs from B-M112, which is strongly tied to Central African foragers, by showing extensive presence in West, Central and Southern Africa. Archaeogenetic and population studies indicate that B-M150 expanded during the Holocene, becoming integrated into emerging Sahelian agricultural systems and later into the Bantu-associated expansions from the Nigeria-Cameroon region. Its demographic history reflects interactions between forager groups, early food-producing communities and large-scale expansions during the last 5,000 years.

Geographic distribution

B-M150 is common in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and the Central African Republic, particularly among populations inhabiting Sahel–Savanna transition zones and major river valleys. It also occurs widely among agricultural groups in Central Africa and appears at moderate levels in Eastern Africa among some Nilotic, Bantu and Afroasiatic-speaking groups. In Southern Africa, B-M150 is present in both Bantu-speaking communities and groups with partial Khoisan admixture. Outside Africa, it is rare and appears mostly in Arabian Peninsula populations with historical African ancestry.

Ancient DNA

  • Holocene individuals from the Lake Chad Basin show B-M150 related signatures, suggesting the lineage had early roles in Sahelian population networks.
  • Ancient east African individuals from the early Holocene display B2-derived lineages, likely including early-stage B-M150 ancestors.
  • Iron Age populations in the Great Lakes region reveal B-M150 traces, indicating incorporation into mixed farming and pastoralist communities.
  • Comparisons with modern West and Central African genomes support a Holocene expansion phase that contributed to the wide dispersal of B-M150.

Phylogeny & subclades

B-M150 includes two major sub-branches corresponding to B-M109 and B-P6, which together capture the primary regional divisions within the clade. These branches mirror West and Central African distributions on one side and Sahelian to Southern African routes on the other. The internal structure of B-M150 suggests a combination of early local diversification and later demographic pulses aligned with agricultural expansions and Bantu-associated movements.

  • B-M109
  • B-P6
  • Unassigned B-M150* lineages

Notes & context

B-M150 is one of the most geographically widespread B lineages and serves as a valuable marker for Holocene population contacts across West and Central Africa. Its internal branching reflects both pre-Bantu regional patterns and later demographic events. Aligning YFull labels such as B2a1 and B2a2 with FTDNA forms like B-M109 and B-P6 ensures compatibility across datasets.