Maternal genetic heterogeneity of the Lue people in Thailand due to multiple resettlements and population dynamics.

Abstract

The Lue ethnic group, which speaks a language that is part of the broader Tai-Kadai linguistic family, extends from Southern China to upper Southeast Asia. Their migration to Northern Thailand exemplifies how migration patterns influence genetic diversity in populations of Thailand. To delve deeper into their genetic history, we generated 144 mitochondrial HVR-1 sequences from three Lue populations and combined them with data obtained from related ethnic groups. These totaled 1,100 sequences gathered across 27 populations including the Lue, Yong, Yuan, and Dai. Analysis has revealed a low degree of haplotype diversity and a small effective population size, which indicate that founder effects impacted the maternal genetic structure of Lue communities. The complex migration history and multiple resettlements of Lue settlers have contributed to significant genetic heterogeneity among those living in Thailand. A notable finding was the identification of a genetic connection among Lue, as well as their close relative Yong populations in Thailand, and the Dai people in Dehong, China, which suggests a shared maternal ancestry or assimilation between these groups.