CCMB study reveals complex maternal genetic ancestry of Konkani-speaking communities

Hyderabad, Oct 23 (UNI) A new study by researchers from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, and Mangalore University has revealed the complex maternal genetic ancestry of Konkani-speaking communities along India's western coast. The findings, published in the journal Heredity, highlight a combination of deep-rooted South Asian and West Eurasian ancestral lineages. Led by Dr K Thangaraj of CCMB and Prof M S Mustak of Mangalore University, the study analysed mitochondrial DNA from 295 Konkani individuals and compared the findings with data from more than 5,000 individuals across Eurasia. Researchers found that maternal ancestry was predominantly local, while…