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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup B-M152

B-M152 (YFull B2b1a)

Macro-haplogroup
B
Parent clade
B-M112
Formed (estimate)
c. 30,000–45,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 6,000–12,000 years ago

Overview

Haplogroup B-M152 is a downstream clade of B-M112 and represents a localized radiation within Central African rainforest forager populations. Its distribution is highly concentrated and strongly correlated with historically mobile forest forager groups. The lineage likely emerged during the Late Pleistocene and remained restricted to small demes that maintained continuity across climatic fluctuations. Unlike the broader Holocene expansions seen in B-M150 lineages, B-M152 preserves signatures of long-term demographic isolation.

Geographic distribution

B-M152 is found primarily among Biaka, Baka and related rainforest forager groups in Cameroon, Gabon and the Central African Republic. It is also present in the northern and central regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Low-level occurrences in Eastern Africa likely reflect ancient population structure rather than recent dispersal. Rare observations in Southern Africa correspond to groups with partial Khoisan or ancient forager ancestry.

Ancient DNA

  • Shum Laka samples from Cameroon show B2b-derived signatures consistent with early B-M152 relatives.
  • Late Pleistocene individuals from Malawi cluster near B-M152 related lineages, suggesting broader ancient forager connectivity.
  • Holocene-era genomes from the Congo Basin indicate continuity of B-M152 like lineages in forest refugia.

Phylogeny & subclades

B-M152 forms a tight cluster within the B-M192 branch but is distinguishable through specific defining SNPs, including M152. The clade shows shallow branching consistent with long-term small effective population sizes. Microclades within B-M152 appear to correspond to localized forest communities that historically maintained limited gene flow with external groups.

  • B-M152*
  • Regional B-M152 forager clusters

Notes & context

B-M152 is an important lineage for tracking microstructure within Central African forest populations. Its localized pattern reflects ecological and cultural continuity that persisted despite external demographic pressures.