In human genetics, Haplogroup Q (M242) is a Y-chromosome haplogroup.
This haplogroup contains the patrilineal ancestors of many Siberians and (through its subgroup Q3) almost all of the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
Haplogroup Q is a branch of haplogroup P (M45). It is believed to have arisen in Siberia approximately 15,000 to 20,000 years ago.
The initial migration from Asia into Alaska across the Bering Strait was done by haplogroup Q populations, approximately 15,000 years ago. This founding population spread throughout the Americas.
Once in the Americas, haplogroup Q underwent a mutation, producing its descendant haplogroup Q3 (M3), which is the Y-chromosome haplotype of almost all of the indigenous peoples of the Americas.