Relative Y-STR mutation rates estimated from the variance inside SNP defined lineages

Y specific microsatellites (STRs) have been widely used in forensic and population genetics in age estimates of human male lineages. Previously, estimates of mutation rates from father-son pairs have given quite variable results in different studies, essentially due to the rarity of mutations. We propose an indirect approach for determining relative mutation rates of Y-chromosome microsatellites based on STR allele size intra-lineage variance. Indeed, the present distribution of STR alleles offers us an insight into the mechanisms that have generated that diversity.