Unveiling the Genetic History of the Maniq, a Primary Hunter-Gatherer Society
More On Article
- Renewed impetus for Stone Age research in the eastern Free State (South Africa) centred on Rose Cottage Cave
- First farmers of Central Europe do not show family-related inequality
- Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (p-XRF) Colloquia Series - First lecture on 12th of February
- Ancient DNA reveals reproductive barrier despite shared Avar-period culture
- Effect of Month of Birth on Mean Birth Length in Austrian Newborns Born Between 1984 and 2021
Göllner T., Larena M., Kutanan W., Lukas H. Schaschl H. , Unveiling the Genetic History of the Maniq, a Primary Hunter-Gatherer Society, Genome Biology and Evolution, Volume 14, Issue 4, April 2022
Abstract
The Maniq of southern Thailand is one of the last remaining practicing hunter-gatherer communities in the world. However, our knowledge on their genetic origins and demographic history is still largely limited. We present here the genotype data covering ∼2.3 million single nucleotide polymorphisms of 11 unrelated Maniq individuals. Our analyses reveal the Maniq to be closely related to the Semang populations of Malaysia (Malay Negritos), who altogether carry an Andamanese-related ancestry linked to the ancient Hòabìnhian hunter-gatherers of Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA). Moreover, the Maniq possess ∼35% East Asian-related ancestry, likely brought about by recent admixture with surrounding agriculturist communities in the region. In addition, the Maniq exhibit one of the highest levels of genetic differentiation found among living human populations, indicative of their small population size and historical practice of endogamy. Similar to other hunter-gatherer populations of MSEA, we also find the Maniq to possess low levels of Neanderthal ancestry and undetectable levels of Denisovan ancestry. Altogether, we reveal the Maniq to be a Semang group that experienced intense genetic drift and exhibits signs of ancient Hòabìnhian ancestry.