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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup B-M30

B-M30

Macro-haplogroup
B
Parent clade
B-M112
Formed (estimate)
c. 30,000–45,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 5,000–10,000 years ago

Overview

Haplogroup B-M30 is a rare downstream branch under B-M112 that represents an extremely localized paternal lineage maintained in a small number of Central African forest populations. While not as widespread or internally diverse as B-M192 or B-M226, B-M30 is important for capturing the finer structure of B-M112 and provides evidence for demographic fragmentation among Late Pleistocene forest foragers.

Geographic distribution

B-M30 occurs primarily in Cameroon, Gabon and northern Congo Basin communities associated with rainforest forager ancestry. It appears sporadically among Bantu-speaking populations due to historical intermarriage with local forest groups. Its absence outside Central Africa supports a highly localized origin.

Ancient DNA

  • Genetic comparisons suggest B-M30 diverged early within forest forager populations during the Late Pleistocene.
  • Ancient individuals from the Congo Basin show paternal profiles consistent with early B-M30 relatives.
  • Holocene archaeological sites in Central Africa reveal population continuity compatible with B-M30 preservation.

Phylogeny & subclades

B-M30 forms a minor but distinct lineage under B-M112. Its shallow diversity and low frequency suggest strong founder effects and long-term isolation. Ongoing sequencing continues to refine its exact position relative to neighboring B-M112 subclades.

  • B-M30*
  • Possible M30 microclades

Notes & context

Although rare, B-M30 helps refine the internal topology of B-M112 and contributes to understanding micro-population structure in Central African forager groups.