Genetic Characterization of the "Gaddi" Tribe of the Himalayas: Analysis of Miochondrail Control Region and in vitro study of antibiotic susceptibility among bacterial populations of Nasonia vitrioennis microbiome

Abstract

Our study focuses on the Gaddi tribe, the largest tribal group of Himachal Pradesh, with a population exceeding 2.77 lakhs and comprising about 45.4% of the ST population of the state. Despite being a well-known agro-pastoral community engaged in pastoralism and agriculture, the origin of the Gaddi remains disputed among ethnographers, anthropologists, and linguists. Thus, we have conducted genetic studies on two geographically distinct groups of Gaddi using mitochondrial control region to determine their maternal ancestry. Our findings indicate high haplotype diversity, with Haplogroup M being the most prevalent, followed by Haplogroup U and R. Comparing the composition of Haplogroup in our population group with other caste groups of northwest India, we found similarities with some additional Haplogroup. Our results suggest that the Gaddi tribe is very diverse, which is rare in tribal groups. The Gaddi identity is more of a cultural and geographical identity with a genetically diverse population, rather than a genealogical identity. Overall, our study provides insights into the ancient maternal ancestry and genetic affinities of the Gaddi with the neighboring populations speaking Indo-European and Tibeto-Burman languages.