Y-DNA haplogroup J1c3* L816+ сluster / Bnei Yahya

The hypothesis that SNPs L816, L817 and L818 can provide the basis to strictly define Yahya Cluster as a subclade of Y-DNA haplogroup J1c3 has received new confirmation: two members of Bnei Yahya FTDNA project tested positively for all of these SNPs.

In order to facilitate the study of male lineages that belong to J1c3* Yahya cluster we have launched the Bnei Yahya project at Family Tree DNA. All persons who tested at or transferred their Y-DNA results to Family Tree DNA, are predicted or confirmed to belong to Y-DNA haplogroup J1, and have DYS392~13 are encouraged to join the project.

Fresh results from the study of J1 samples at 1000 Genomes project being undertaken by Victar Mas: he reports finding a person from Finland to be L816+, L817+, L818-. This is the first L816+ L817+ sample that has been found since the discovery of these SNPs.

Victar Mas has reported some interesting findings based on his study of 1000 Genomes project data. According to him, the structure of J-P58 (J1c3) clade may be more complicated than thought until recently. Its two biggest subclades, J-L147.1 (J1c3d) and Jewish Cluster A (probably defined by SNPs L816-L818) seem to be divisions of a higher-level subclade defined by SNP L815, which was initially thought to be equivalent to P58.

L816, L817, and L818 have been made available for testing at Family Tree DNA. Persons whose STR haplotype is close to the modal haplotype of J1c3* Jewish Cluster A are encouraged to test for SNPs L816, L817, and L818. To order an SNP test, FTDNA customers need to select "Order Tests and Uprgrades" in My Account section at their My FTDNA page, go to "Order Advanced Tests", select "SNP" in the drop-down menu, and choose a particular SNP.

The first Walk Through the Y (WTY) test ordered at FTDNA by a member of J1c3* Jewish Cluster A resulted in the discovery of five new SNPs. Three of them, L816, L817, and L818, may prove to either provide the basis for a strict definition of J1c3* Jewish Cluster A as a subclade of haplogroup J1c3 (J-P58), or permit to clarify the cluster's internal structure. Clarifying the location of these SNPs on J1c3 haplotree will require additional testing by the other members of the cluster.