Genetic distance of 2

[sarahmj]

I have one FMS match and he is a genetic distance of 2. What does this mean exactly? How far back is our MRCA likely to be?

[1798]

I have one FMS match and he is a genetic distance of 2. What does this mean exactly? How far back is our MRCA likely to be?

Mesolithic.

[GST]

I have one FMS match and he is a genetic distance of 2. What does this mean exactly? How far back is our MRCA likely to be?

It depends on whether are in a young or old branch (or subclade) of the mtDNA tree and where the mismatch occurs. There are cases of very close relatives having a distance of 2, although usually it indicates a more distant relationship. You can join the haplogroup project for your results, and the project volunteer might be able to provide more specific information.