Overview
K2b is the sister branch of K2a and forms the ancestral root leading to the macro-haplogroup NO, from which N and O later diversify. It represents one of the earliest paternal expansions into East Asia and is associated with late Pleistocene forager populations inhabiting regions of Southeast Asia, southern China and possibly the Himalayan foothills. K2b carries the genetic foundation of the paternal lineages that dominate modern East and Northeast Asia.
Geographic distribution
K2b* is extremely rare in living populations and appears sporadically in Island Southeast Asia and South Asia. Its descendant branch, NO, dominates East and Northeast Asia.
Ancient DNA
- Ancient southern Chinese genomes reflect basal K2b structure.
- Southeast Asian late Pleistocene individuals show ancestry linked to early K2b diversification.
- Transitional early East Asian hunter-gatherers contain K2b-like upstream signals.
Phylogeny & subclades
K2b is defined by M1221 and related markers. It leads directly to the formation of macro-haplogroup NO.
Notes & context
K2b forms the platform from which the paternal lineages of most East Asians later emerge.
References & external links