What does DYS385 ab mean on a DNA test?

DYS385ab refers to a specific marker used in Y-DNA testing, where "DYS" stands for "DNA Y-chromosome Segment," and "385" denotes the particular locus being analyzed. The "ab" indicates that there are two different alleles present at this locus, meaning that the individual has inherited one allele from each parent. This marker is commonly used in genealogical DNA testing to trace paternal lineages and can help identify genetic relationships between individuals.