Y-chromosomal STR haplotypes in three ethnic groups and one cosmopolitan population from Tunisia

The 11 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) included in the Promega Corporation PowerPlex Y System (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385, DYS437, DYS438 and DYS439) were typed in three ethnic groups ("Andalusians", Berber and Arab) and one cosmopolitan population (Tunis) from Tunisia, summing up 247 individuals, and 139 different haplotypes. Focusing the analysis on the seven Y-STRs of the YHRD Minimal Haplotype Core (DYS385 excepted), "Andalusians" showed no differences from the Cosmopolitan and the Arab samples previously published (our Arab sample presented an extremely low haplotype diversity), but were different from the Berbers. The Berbers from Tunisia were not different from those from Morocco.This work was partially supported by the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technology. We are very grateful to the Tunisian Ministry of Health for their help in the sampling. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia granted the research project (POCTI/ANT/45139/2002), the Ph.D. grant of A.G. (SFRH/BD/16518/2004) and partially supports IPATIMUP through Programa Operacional Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (POCTI), Quadro Comunitário de Apoio III. Researchers mobility was supported by the cultural technical and scientific agreement between Portugal and Tunisia through GRICES (Gabinete de Relações Internacionais da Ciência e do Ensino Superior)