Table 1. Strategy followed for sample analysis, and diversity of the lineages affiliated to haplogroup B4a1a1a and their distribution in three Malagasy populations.

				Analysis stage
Population (n)	Haplotype			First		Second			Thirda	Fourthb
		n	%	HVS1	HVS2	9-bp del	+6719 NlaIII	A14022G	Whole mtDNA sequence	−1473 HhaI	−3423 AcII	Final haplogroup
Merina (38)	H1	17	44.7	16182C, 16183C, 16189, 16217, 16247, 16261, 16519	73 146 263	+	+			+	+	B4a1a1a Malagasy motif
	H2	2	5.3	16182C, 16183C, 16189, 16217, 16247, 16261, 16357	73 146 263	+	+		+	+	+	B4a1a1a Malagasy motif
Vezo (101)	H1	18	17.8	16182C 16183C 16189 16217 16247 16261 16519	73 146 263	+	+			+	+	B4a1a1a Malagasy motif
	H3	1	1	16182C, 16183C, 16189, 16217, 16247, 16261, 16368	73 146 263	+	+		+	+	+	B4a1a1a Malagasy motif
	H4	3	3	16182C, 16183C, 16189, 16217, 16261, 16519	73 146 263	+	+	+		+	+	B4a1a1a Malagasy motif
Mikea (127)	H1	17	13.4	16182C, 16183C, 16189, 16217, 16247, 16261, 16519	73 146 263	+	+		+	+	+	B4a1a1a Malagasy motif

^aSequencing of the complete mtDNA genome was performed using one sample from each different mtDNA haplotypes affiliated to B4a1a1a haplogroup. Furthermore, one sample from each of the three Malagasy groups was used for complete sequencing (haplotype H1 from Mikea; haplotype H2 from Merina; and haplotype H3 from Vezo).

^bTwo coding region mutations (C1473T and T3423A) revealed by complete mtDNA sequences are shared by all the Malagasy samples affiliated to haplogroup B4a1a1a and consequently define the new ‘Malagasy motif'.