X-Chromosomal STR-based analysis of genetic diversity, structure, and phylogeny in the Sri Lankan Vedda population

Genotyping 50 unrelated Vedda individuals with a 16 X-STR multiplex shows statistically significant 2.43% genetic differentiation from Sri Lankan principal ethnic groups.

• Why it matters: X-STRs can capture demographic and evolutionary effects more sensitively than autosomal markers, but Vedda X-STR diversity and structure were previously uncharacterized.
• What they did: The study genotyped 50 unrelated Veddas using a 16 X-STR multiplex PCR system optimized for Sri Lankan populations, then compared differentiation versus local groups and positioned them among 32 global populations.
• The result: The Veddas form a genetically distinct, isolated cluster with reduced allelic (115) and haplotype (62) counts and significant linkage disequilibrium among eight X-STR locus pairs, supporting baseline data and continued use of the 16 loci.

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