Mitochondrial DNA genome sequencing dataset of Tibetans for the Tibetan Plateau (Version 1.0) (2018)

Based on high-throughput sequencing technology, we sequenced complete mitochondrial genomes of 671 Tibetan individuals from the Tibetan Plateau. The average sequencing depth is 1000×, covering the whole mitochondrial genome of each sample (100%). Quality control was conducted based on phylogenetic analysis, which has been proven to be of great help in distilling potential problems such as artificial recombination. By combining complete mitogenome data from literature, we analyzed how the genetic landscape of Tibetans established, with special attempts to unravel what kind of factors played the most important roles in this process. Results indicated about 20.98% of Tibetan haplogroups differentiated in Tibetans around 5.2–4.0 ka and originated in northern China from 10–6 ka, well matching the dispersal history of millet agriculture. Estimations further suggested that the frequencies of both haplogroups were much more pronounced (40%–50%) in Tibetans before the massive immigrations onto the TP during the historical period. Our study suggests that the migration of millet farmers from northern China played an important role in shaping the genetic landscape of Tibetans.