African L0a mtDNA haplogroup in Republic of Macedonia

Abstract

Mitochondrial DNA analysis from individuals from Republic of Macedonia as one of the south-eastern European countries showed that the phylogenetic characteristics of Macedonian population are similar as in other Europen countries, sharing west Eurasian haplogroups, predominantly European haplogroup H. Macedonian population is multiethnic and some of this ethnic groups have specific mtDNA haplogroup traced to their origin. In this article we present first finding of an African haplogroup L0a in orthodox Macedonian. From the published data it is evident that most likely L lineages arrived in Europe in rather recent historical times, what for today’s Republic of Macedonia from historical point of view could be in the last 2500 years.