Genetic diversity of the medieval Bosnian population using STRs: similarity or differences with the contemporary B&H population

Abstract

The study of human populations based on STR genetic markers, provides information about its structure, growth, size, and age, as well as its connection with other populations. In the analysis of ancient populations, preference is given to SNP markers, while STR markers are rarely used, primarily due to their poor efficiency in the analysis of fragmented DNA. In our study, we successfully used STR markers to analyze the genetic diversity of the population, demonstrating the success of their application in studying the genetic structure of the medieval Bosnian population. Skeletal remains of 112 samples were collected from medieval period. Total of 22 autosomal STRs were applied. We used different statistical tests such as ?, Gst, AMOVA, population differentiation test based on exact p-values and FCA. For 106 archeological skeletal remains, analyses of heterogeneity and intergroup variability were performed. No significant genetic differentiation between the two populations was noticed. Obtained results indicates that these two populations actually represent one gene pool, despite various historical events that occurred in past 700 years. In conclusion, due to the absence of genetic differentiation between the two analyzed populations, no major genetic distinction can be observed between contemporary B&H population and the medieval Bosnian population.