haplogroup L1c

L1c1b, L1c1c and L1c2 could be originated in Bantu ancestors, whereas L1c1a, L1c4 and L1c5 evolved among Western Pygmies.

The population structure of L1c is not comparable to any known mitochondrial or, even, Y-chromosomal haplogroup, and challenges the current view that most of mtDNA variation in Pygmies might reflect admixture with Bantu or a persistence of plesiomorphic characters.

In fact, the unique feature of the L1c is that it retains a signature of a phase common to the ancestors of the Bantu and Western Pygmies, while encompassing some specific sub-clades which can indicate their divergence.

Taking into consideration estimates of the time to the most recent common ancestor of L1c and its clades together with archaeological and paleoclimatological evidence, it has been proposed that the ancestors of Bantu and Western Pygmies separated between 60 and 30kya.

References

 Batini C, Coia V, Battaggia C, Rocha J, Pilkington MM, Spedini G, Comas D, Destro-Bisol G, Calafell F. Phylogeography of the human mitochondrial L1c haplogroup: Genetic signatures of the prehistory of Central Africa. Mol Phylogenet Evol. 2007 May;43(2):635-644.
PMID: 17107816