- Haplogroup V represents less than 5% of European mtDNAs.

 The absence of haplogroup V in the prehistoric samples analyzed conflicts with the hypothesis proposed by Torroni et al., in which haplogroup V is considered as an mtDNA marker for a major Paleolithic population expansion from southwestern Europe, occurring approximately 10,000-15,000 years before the present (YBP). (#10364533#)

 The mutation defining Haplogroup V (4577 NlaIII) could have appeared at a time when the effective population size was small enough to allow genetic drift to act-and that such drift is responsible for the heterogeneity observed in Basques, with regard to the frequency of haplogroup V (0%-20%). This is compatible with the attributed date for the origin of that mutation (10,000-15, 000 YBP), because during the postglacial period (the Mesolithic, approximately 11,000 YBP) there was a major demographic change in the Basque Country, which minimized the effect of genetic drift. (#10364533#)

 Uncommon subhaplogroup pre*V tends to be scattered throughout Europe (and northwestern Africa)

 Haplogroup V attains two peaks of frequency: one situated in southwestern Europe and one in the Saami of northern Scandinavia.

 Geographical distributions and ages support the scenario that pre*V originated in Europe before the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), whereas the more recently derived haplogroup V arose in a southwestern European refugium soon after the LGM.

 The arrival of Haplogroup V in eastern/central Europe, however, occurred much later, possibly with (post-)Neolithic contacts.

 The distribution of haplogroup V mtDNAs in modern European populations would thus, at least in part, reflect the pattern of postglacial human recolonization from that refugium, affecting even the Saami.

See also

 mtDNA sequence variation
 mitochondrial HVS-I sequences
 western Eurasia
 northern Africa
 mtDNA Haplogroup V

• subhaplogroup pre*V

References

 Torroni A, Bandelt HJ, Macaulay V, Richards M, Cruciani F, Rengo C, Martinez-Cabrera V, Villems R, Kivisild T, Metspalu E, Parik J, Tolk HV, Tambets K, Forster P, Karger B, Francalacci P, Rudan P, Janicijevic B, Rickards O, Savontaus ML, Huoponen K, Laitinen V, Koivumaki S, Sykes B, Hickey E, Novelletto A, Moral P, Sellitto D, Coppa A, Al-Zaheri N, Santachiara-Benerecetti AS, Semino O, Scozzari R. A signal, from human mtDNA, of postglacial recolonization in Europe. Am J Hum Genet. 2001 Oct;69(4):844-52. PMID: #11517423#

 Izagirre N, de la Rua C. An mtDNA analysis in ancient Basque populations: implications for haplogroup V as a marker for a major paleolithic expansion from southwestern europe.Am J Hum Genet. 1999 Jul;65(1):199-207. PMID: #10364533#