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Multiple ethnic origins of mitochondrial DNA lineages for the population of Mauritius
This article reports on the first genetic assessment of the contemporary Mauritian population. Small island nodes such as
Mauritius played a critical role in historic globalization processes and revealing high-resolution details of labour sourcing is
crucial in order to better understand early-modern diaspora events. Mauritius is a particularly interesting case given detailed
historic accounts attesting to European (Dutch, French and British), African and Asian points of origin. Ninety-seven samples
were analysed for mitochondrial DNA to begin unravelling the complex dynamics of the island’s modern population. In
corroboration with general demographic information, the majority of maternal lineages were derived from South Asia
(58.76%), with Malagasy (16.60%), East/Southeast Asian (11.34%) and Sub-Saharan African (10.21%) also making significant
contributions. This study pinpoints specific regional origins for the South Asian genetic contribution, showing a greater
influence on the contemporary population from northern and southeast India. Moreover, the analysis of lineages related to
the slave trade demonstrated that Madagascar and East Asia were the main centres of origin, with less influence from West
Africa