Overview
G-Y200155 is a minor yet geographically informative branch of the M406 family that appears to have expanded during the late classical to early Islamic periods. The lineage suggests a demographic narrative rooted in the eastern Mediterranean, where Greek, Levantine and Arabian cultural spheres interacted intensively. Its formation predates these historical movements, but its expansion likely corresponds to late antiquity and early medieval dynamics.
This lineage is particularly important because it bridges Anatolian G2a ancestry with Arabian and Levantine genetic environments. It represents a line that moved southward or eastward from the Mediterranean coast into the Arabian Peninsula, acquiring demographic visibility in communities that experienced early Islamic era expansions.
Geographic distribution
Modern carriers are concentrated in the Levant, coastal Syria, Lebanon, northern Arabia and parts of Iraq. Smaller representations occur in Turkey and Cyprus. Isolated carriers also appear in the Gulf region, especially in Oman and the UAE, hinting at historical connections tied to trade and pilgrimage routes.
Unlike some M406 branches heavily represented in Europe, Y200155 is nearly absent west of the Adriatic. Its distribution reinforces a Near Eastern and Arabian expansion model.
Ancient DNA
- Levantine Roman period individuals show partial SNP overlap with early Y200155 structure.
- Byzantine era populations in northern Syria and Cappadocia show upstream markers compatible with Y200155 ancestral lines.
- No European ancient DNA has been assigned to this branch, which supports its Near Eastern development pathway.
Phylogeny & subclades
Within G2a2b1a, Y200155 forms a compact cluster with minimal branching. The primary split separates a northern Levantine branch and a southern Arabian or Gulf associated branch. The narrow structure suggests a founder event that occurred in late antiquity, followed by stability in localized communities.
- G-Y200155* basal Levantine cluster
- G-Y200155a northern Arabian branch
- G-Y200155b Gulf associated microcline
- minor Cypriot and Anatolian transitional lineages
Notes & context
This lineage adds depth to the atlas by demonstrating southward diffusion of G-M406 lineages and their integration into early Islamic era networks. It complements the broader picture of Mediterranean and Near Eastern paternal interactions.
References & external links