Population genetics for Y-chromosomal STRs haplotypes of Chinese Xibe ethnic group

Allele and haplotype frequencies of 11 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) included in the PowerPlex^® Y Systems (Promega) were determined in a sample of 280 unrelated healthy autochthonous male individuals of the Chinese Xibe ethnic minority group living in Liaoning (northeast of China). The gene diversity values of the Y-STRs loci ranged from 0.3618 (DYS391) to 0.9686 (DYS385a/b). A total of 237 haplotypes were identified in the Y-STR loci, among which 207 were unique, 22 was found in 2 individuals, 4 were shared in 3 individuals, 3 were shared in 4 individuals, and 1 was shared in 5 individuals. The observed haplotype diversity value and discrimination capacity were 0.9984 and 0.8464, respectively. AMOVA tests demonstrated significant genetic heterogeneity between the Xibes and 16 reference populations from China and other Asian populations, justifying the establishment of local databases in the Chinese Xibe ethnic group for forensic application.