X-STR Admixture Analysis of Two Populations of the Basque Diaspora in America

The Basque Diaspora began to spread worldwide in the last century, mainly due to wars and first-born privileges over family land. The aim of this study was to explore the genetic composition and admixture of two populations of the Basque Diaspora located in Argentina and the United States. Samples were collected from individuals with Basque descendency living in the California, Nevada and Reno, United States and Buenos Aires, Argentina. PCR amplification was performed using GEP-ISFG X-STR decaplex primers. No deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were observed. Admixture analysis revealed a high genetic contribution (33.3±1.9%) from Buenos Aires population to the admixed population of the Basque Diaspora in Argentina. A high genetic contribution (21±1.9%) from US Hispanic population was determined for the admixed population of the Basque Diaspora in the United States.