Genetic analysis based on 15 autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) in the Chaouia population, western center Morocco, and genetic relationships with worldwide populations.

The complex demographic history of human populations in North Africa has resulted in a high degree of genetic heterogeneity across the region. However, little is known about the pattern of these genetic variations in its current populations. The present study provides new data on the genetic background of Chaouia, an Arabic-speaking North African population in the western center of Morocco.

Genetic characterization of the Berber-speaking population of Souss (Morocco) based on autosomal STRs.

Background: The Souss, located in southern Morocco, is one of the oldest areas of human settlement in North Africa. Despite this historical relevance, the Souss has not received sufficient attention in terms of population genetic studies.

Methods: In this study, we utilized the AmpFlSTR Identifiler PCR amplification system to establish the allelic frequencies and statistical parameters of 15 autosomal STRs (Short Tandem Repeats) in 150 healthy unrelated Berber-speaking individuals from the Souss.

Mutation rate at 17 Y-STR loci in "Father/Son" pairs from moroccan population.

Precise knowledge of mutation rate at Y-STRs loci is essential for a correct evaluation of typing results in forensic casework and specially kinship genetic studies. In this study, we have examined 252 confirmed and unrelated father/son sample pairs from Moroccan population using the 17 Y-STR markers DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385a, DYS385b, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, and Y-GATA-H4 of the AmpFlSTR Yfiler™ kit used in routine casework. We observed a total of 15 single repeat mutations between fathers and sons as mutational events.

Allele frequencies of 15 autosomal STR loci in the southern Morocco population with phylogenetic structure among worldwide populations.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using the AmpFl STR Identifiler kit was performed in a random sample of 204 unrelated individuals from the Arabic-speaking population of the southern Morocco. Allele frequencies of 15 STRs loci (D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, D19S433, CSF1PO, TH01 and D3S1358) have been reported in this population. Markers D18S51, FGA, D2S1338 and D21S11 had the highest power of discrimination (PD) values while TH01 was the most informative locus in the studied population.