University of Wollongong
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Chronology of natural selection in Oceanian genomes

journal contribution
posted on 2024-11-17, 15:46 authored by Nicolas Brucato, Mathilde André, Georgi Hudjashov, Mayukh Mondal, Murray P Cox, Matthew Leavesley, François Xavier Ricaut
As human populations left Asia to first settle in Oceania around 50,000 years ago, they entered a territory ecologically separated from the Old World for millions of years. We analyzed genomic data of 239 modern Oceanian individuals to detect and date signals of selection specific to this region. Combining both relative and absolute dating approaches, we identified a strong selection pattern between 52,000 and 54,000 years ago in the genomes of descendants of the first settlers of Sahul. This strikingly corresponds to the dates of initial settlement as inferred from archaeological evidence. Loci under selection during this period, some showing enrichment in Denisovan ancestry, overlap genes involved in the immune response and diet, especially based on plants. Pathogens and natural resources, especially from endemic plants, therefore appear to have acted as strong selective pressures on the genomes of the first settlers of Sahul.

Funding

Laboratoire d'Excellence TULIP (20-CE12-0003-01)

History

Journal title

ISCIENCE

Volume

25

Issue

7

Language

English

Usage metrics

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC