Patrilocality and recent migrations have little impact on shaping patterns of genetic structure of the Armenian population.

ABSTRACT

In general, genetic distances between human populations (also within one ethnic group) are larger for the Y chromosome markers than for the mtDNA. It is usually explained by higher rate of female versus male migration due to the cultural practice of patrilocality, when women move to their husbands' residence after marriage. Recently found a reversed picture for the genetic variation in some ethno-territorial groups confirm the strict role of cultural traditions in shaping patterns of populations' genetic structure. To test the role of patrilocality for the genetic structure of the Armenian population, we compared the Y chromosome and the mtDNA haplotype variations among and between geographical groups identified according to paternal (maternal) grandparental place of birth, from one side, and the populations currently living in the same geographical areas, from the other side. The results demonstrate that the Armenian population is regionally more structured for the Y chromosome than for the mtDNA. Additionally, in spite of expressed directivity of migration processes (caused by the phenomenon of patrilocality as well), the patterns of genetic variations for the populations of the same geographic areas remain without any significant changes during the last three generations.