Projected spatial frequency distribution for haplogroup L4.Schematic tree of mtDNA haplogroup L4. Ages (in
ka) indicated are maximum likelihood estimates obtained for the whole-mtDNA genome.
It has two branches, L4a and L4b. Subgroup L4a was formerly called L7 and considered a separate subclade of
L3'4'7. It has been recognized as a subclade of L4, with
L3 as its outgroup by Behar et al. (2008).[4]
The parent clade L3'4 is to have emerged at 106–66 kya.[5]
L4 is not much later than this, estimated at 87 kya by Fernandes et al. (2015).[6]
Phylogeny
The following phylogeny is based on van Oven and Kayser (2008).[1]