Comparison of Allele Frequencies of Benghazi Population with Other Metapopulation

Abstract

This is, to our knowledge, the first in-depth and largest study (238 samples) of genetic diversity in Y-STR haplotypes in an eastern Libyan population (recorded in Afro-Asiatic group from Metapopulation published in Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database-YHRD). Two previous studies, of a Tripoli population (West of Libya) and a Fezzan population (South Libya) analyzed a smaller number of inhabitants (63 samples and 47 samples, respectively) and (YHRD). Recently, (April 2011) YHRD recorded 47 and 82 haplotypes from Tripoli (Berber and Arabs 2011) respectively. Method: We Compare allele frequencies of Benghazi population with Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database -metapopulation. Conclusion: Benghazi population is similar to other Asian groups, such as Euro-Asian and East Asian. Hence, the Benghazi population shows genetic affinity to Asian and Middle Eastern rather than African and West North African groups.