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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup Q-M105

Q2-M105 (minor Siberian branch)

Macro-haplogroup
Q
Parent clade
Q-M242
Formed (estimate)
c. 18,000–22,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 10,000–14,000 years ago

Overview

Q-M105 is one of the oldest surviving subbranches of haplogroup Q and represents an ancient lineage that persisted among small, isolated hunter-gatherer groups in central and eastern Siberia. The lineage predates most major Q radiations, including the Q-M3 dispersal into the Americas and the Q-M378 expansions of West Asia. Its distribution and age indicate that M105 was part of a Late Pleistocene forager population adapted to boreal forests and cold steppe environments.

Geographic distribution

Today the lineage survives only at very low frequency among Evenki, Even, and certain dispersed forest-zone Siberian groups. Small occurrences appear in the mid-Yenisei region and eastern Siberia, suggesting survival through strong genetic drift in isolated demes.

Ancient DNA

  • Early Holocene remains from the Baikal region show paternal signals consistent with M105-level ancestry.
  • Its temporal placement overlaps with the divergence of eastern Siberian forager groups prior to the American founding lineages.
  • The lineage likely represents a relic population that did not participate in major post-glacial expansions.

Phylogeny & subclades

Q-M105 forms a shallow minor cluster under Q, with extremely limited subbranching due to small population size.

  • Q-M105*

Notes & context

Q-M105 is essential for reconstructing pre-Holocene paternal diversity in Siberia and clarifying differentiation prior to American and West Asian expansions.