Y-chromosomal polymorphisms in the Czech population with focus on Moravian Valachs: evolutionary anthropology study.

Aim: This study presents an evolutionary anthropology approach to the history of Moravian Valachs. The origins of Valach population are approached by evaluating the admixture event that marked the appearance of Moravian Valachs. Methods & data: Focus of my Ph.D. project lies on Y-chromosomal variation, using 12 Y-STR loci haplotype to compute population genetic statistics, to infer Y-chromosomal haplogroup information and to compare Moravian Valachs to other European populations. Admixture analysis was performed. Our data set contains haplotypic information from 44 populations with the total of 4757 individuals. Moravian Valachs are presented by 94 DNA samples. Results: Our data reveal a decreased genetic variability in Moravian Valachs compared to other Central European populations. This feature is most probably caused by isolation of Valach population. Multidimensional scaling and comparison of FST distances shows Valach population as related to populations from Poland, Romania and Macedonia. Shared haplotypes and AMOVA tests place the Valachs to the Central European region. Also admixture analysis, as well as demographic and historical data, stresses the influence of autochthonous population of Moravia in the forming of Moravian Valachs. Conclusion: Moravian Valachs represent a hybrid..