Haplogroup L1 (mtDNA)

In human genetics, Haplogroup L1 is a human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup.

Origin

The formerly named L1 branches (L1d, L1k, L1a, L1f) have been re-classified into haplogroup L0 as L0d, L0k, L0a and L0f. Haplogroup L1 is believed to have first appeared in East Africa approximately 150,000 to 170,000 years ago. Haplogroup L1 is a daughter of Mitochondrial Eve like her sister haplogroup L0. L1 and sisters haplogroups L2, L3, L4, L5, and L6 are distinguished from L0 by genetic markers at 182, 1048, 4312, 6185, 11914, and 12007.

Distribution

It is found most commonly in the Sub-Saharan Africa. It reaches its highest frequency in the Kung people at 69%.

L1 has two branches- L1b and L1c. L1b is most frequent in West Africa. L1c is more common amongst the Bantu and Semi-Bantu speakers of west-central tropical Africa.

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