Genetic characteristic of Volga Tatars based on uniparental markers data

The analysis of mitochondrial DNA in the two subpopulations of Tatars living in the Volga-Ural region of Russia was carried out. Analysis of mtDNA polymorphism showed that the majority of detected mtDNA are typical for the peoples of Western Eurasia. The share of East Eurasian component in the Kazan Tatars and Tuymazinsky was 10.7% and 22%, respectively. In Tatar subpopulations previously unidentified lines B4, F have been found. Genetic diversity index was higher in Kazan Tatars, compared with Tuymazinsky Tatars. Analysis of the Y-chromosome haplogroup frequency distribution showed that major haplogroups in two studied subpopulations are R1a-Page07, N-M231 and I-M170. At the same time Tuymazinsky Tatars, unlike Kazan Tatars, showed a relatively high frequency of R1b-M269 haplogroup, which indicates possible founder effect in this subpopulation.