Dermatoglyphic and anthropometric relationships within the I?upiat (Eskimo) hand

On the basis of earlier findings with Easter Islanders suggesting a positive correlation between dermatoglyphic variables and hand anthropometric measurements, the present study was designed to determine if such a relationship could be generalized to another population, namely, I?upiat (Eskimo). Since some dermatoglyphic and anthropometric variables were available for both sides of the body, the extension of this study to explore the question of asymmetry was also possible. The I?upiat sample numbered 142 male and 176 female adult inhabitants of five Alaskan North Slope communities. The major findings of this study included, for males, significant negative correlations between left arm length and digital ridge counts and positive relationships between the palmar variable of axial index and hand length on both hands. For females, the hand breadth/length index was negatively related to most of the digital variables. Very little definitive information regarding the relationship of the asymmetry variables between the two types of measures was ascertained.     

Hand locomotor functions, body structure, and epidermal ridge patterns: preliminary study

The purpose of this study was to determine whether any relationships exist between hand locomotor functions and dermatoglyphic characteristics and body structure. The pilot sample consisted of 71 adult normal individuals (30 males and 41 females). The locomotor function tests included a power grip and two precision grips; dermatoglyphic features were represented by finger and palmar pattern intensities and ridge counts, and body structure by 35 head, face, trunk, and limb anthropometric measurements. Univariate and multivariate correlation analyses reveal that on average half of the variance in the locomotor hand-function tests can be accounted for by a set of body and/or dermatoglyphic variables in males; this contribution is appreciably lower in females. Body longitudinal measurements and some facial measures, such as jaw length, were found to be the main correlates of either a power grip or a simple thumb-index squeeze, especially in males; head and face measurements and the size and intensity of patterns on fingers 1 and 2 were the main correlates of more complex precision tests involving complicated manipulation of objects using the thumb and index finger. These preliminary results identify some previously unknown sources of variation in dermatoglyphic patterns and contribute to a better understanding of the evolutionary aspects of the relationships between specific functional and morphologic traits in humans.     

Quantitative digital and palmar dermatoglyphics among Sardinian linguistic groups

Discriminant analyses of 23 digital and 15 palmar quantitative dermatoglyphic variables of 1364 Sardinians, 689 males and 675 females, were performed to identify biological relationships among five Sardinian linguistic groups of both sexes. By various subsets of dermatoglyphic variables (23 and 20 digital, 15 and 14 palmar, 4 summary traits) MANOVA revealed high intergroup heterogeneity among the groups of both sexes and within each sex. In the latter case the males are an exception when 15 and 14 (MLI removed) palmar variables are used. Standard discriminant analysis of the 23 digital variables, i.e. the radial and ulnar ridge counts on each of the 10 fingers plus total finger ridge count (TFRC), absolute finger ridge count (AFRC) and pattern intensity (PI), resulted in imperfect separation of males and females and an unclear picture of the biological relationships among the groups. In contrast, standard discriminant analysis of 20 digital variables (TFRC, AFRC and PI were removed from the analysis) resulted in separation of the sexes and a pattern of relationships among the populations consistent with their ethno-historical backgrounds. Standard discriminant analysis of 15 palmar dermatoglyphic variables failed to provide separation of the sexes and produced a pattern of relationships in disagreement with both the linguistic and ethno-historical backgrounds, even removing MLI (Main Line Index). Standard discriminant analysis of 4 summary dermatoglyphic variables (TFRC, AFRC, PI and MLI) yielded imperfect separation of males and females and an unclear pattern of relationships. By stepwise discriminant analysis with p < or = 0.01 as F-to-enter and p < or = 0.05 as F-to-remove, only 4 of the 38 digital and palmar variables were in the model (URC R5, RRC L5, RRC R5, URC R4). The pattern of inter-population biological relationships was conceptually similar to the one produced by the 20 digital variables. It showed a clear separation of the Gallurian group (both males and females), which speaks an Italian dialect. The properly Sardinian linguistic groups (Campidanian and Logudorian), the Sassarian group (which speaks an Italian dialect) and the Alghero group (which speaks Catalan) were close to one another. This picture agrees with the ethno-historical background rather than with the linguistic one.     

A dermatoglyphic study of the Kavalan aboriginal population of Taiwan

By the 1970s, a number of dermatoglyphic studies of Taiwan aborigines (Gaoshan nationality) had been published, however in each only a few dermatoglyphic variables were addressed. Since that time, little new research has been conducted. In this study, we collected and analyzed the dermatoglyphs of 100 individuals of Kavalan, a Taiwan aboriginal population, and we reported a wide range of dermatoglyphic variables including total finger ridge count (TFRC), a-b total ridge count (a-b RC), atd angle and axial triradius percent distance (tPD), and frequencies of fingerprint pattern, palmar thenar pattern, palmar interdigital pattern, palmar hypothenar pattern, and simian line. This study is the first comprehensive dermatoglyphic research of any Taiwan aboriginal population.     

A dermatoglyphic study of the Kavalan aboriginal population of Taiwan

By the 1970s, a number of dermatoglyphic studies of Taiwan aborigines (Gaoshan nationality) had been published, however in each only a few dermatoglyphic variables were addressed. Since that time, little new research has been conducted. In this study, we collected and analyzed the dermatoglyphs of 100 individuals of Kavalan, a Taiwan aboriginal population, and we reported a wide range of dermatoglyphic variables including total finger ridge count (TFRC), a-b total ridge count (a-b RC), atd angle and axial triradius percent distance (tPD), and frequencies of fingerprint pattern, palmar thenar pattern, palmar interdigital pattern, palmar hypothenar pattern, and simian line. This study is the first comprehensive dermatoglyphic research of any Taiwan aboriginal population.     

Dermatoglyphic asymmetry and testosterone levels in normal males

Dermatoglyphic prints and salivary samples were taken on a sample of 39 adult males. A statistical relationship between dermatoglyphic asymmetry and adult testosterone levels as measured in saliva was examined for seven dermatoglyphic variables by means of correlation, regression, and analysis of covariance, controlling for age and stature when necessary. The first two types of analyses indicated a significant effect of testosterone level upon the asymmetry of three dermatoglyphic variables: a-b ridge count, palmar pattern intensity, and the combined pattern intensity of palm and digits. Analysis of covariance, which examined the effect of testosterone level as a categorical variable, while holding age or stature constant, demonstrated the asymmetry of five variables to be significantly affected by testosterone level: radial digital count, digital pattern intensity, palmar pattern intensity, total digital ridge count, and the combined palmar and digital intensity. Although there is as yet only associational evidence linking levels of prenatal and secondary testosterone, the results of the present study lend support to the hypothesis that prenatal testosterone levels may have a significant effect on the development of dermatoglyphics. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

A dermatoglyphic study of the Amis aboriginal population of Taiwan

Amis is the largest aboriginal population in Taiwan. The previous dermatoglyphic studies of the Amis only reported limited data. In this study, we collected and analyzed the dermatoglyphs of 200 Amis individuals, and we reported a wide range of dermatoglyphic variables including total finger ridge count, a-b ridge count, atd angle, axial triradius percent distance, and frequencies of fingerprint pattern, palmar thenar pattern, palmar interdigital pattern, and simian line. This study is the first comprehensive dermatoglyphic research of Amis since 1960s, and its dermatoglyphic data will be useful for future research in anthropology, genetics and medicine.     

A dermatoglyphic study of the Amis aboriginal population of Taiwan

Amis is the largest aboriginal population in Taiwan. The previous dermatoglyphic studies of the Amis only reported limited data. In this study, we collected and analyzed the dermatoglyphs of 200 Amis in-dividuals, and we reported a wide range of dermatoglyphic variables including total finger ridge count, a-b ridge count, atd angle, axial triradius percent distance, and frequencies of fingerprint pattern, pal-mar thenar pattern, palmar interdigital pattern, and simian line. This study is the first comprehensive dermatoglyphic research of Amis since 1960s, and its dermatoglyphic data will be useful for future re-search in anthropology, genetics and medicine.     

Directional asymmetry of finger ridge counts in females of Sardinian linguistic groups

The data used in this study are the fingerprints of 744 females from 6 Sardinian linguistic groups. We analyzed 15 dermatoglyphic variables of directional asymmetry, namely the right vs left signed differences between i-th homologous fingers for larger ridge counts, radial counts and ulnar counts. Principal components analysis of the dermatoglyphic variables in the females of Sardinian linguistic groups revealed a pattern of biological relations among the groups which is consistent with their linguistic, but especially historical and demographic, backgrounds.     

Inter-sex and intra-sex differences in quantitative digital dermatoglyphics of Sardinian-speaking groups

In this study, we analysed inter-sex differences within two linguistic groups from the Sardinian linguistic area and intra-sex differences between the two groups by means of 41 quantitative digital dermatoglyphic variables: 20 digital dermatoglyphic traits (radial and ulnar ridge counts on each of the 10 fingers), 15 digital dermatoglyphic directional asymmetry variables, total finger ridge count, bilateral summed radial and ulnar finger ridge counts, an index of asymmetry between homologous fingers, and two indices of intra-individual diversity of finger ridge counts. The comparisons between males and females within the same linguistic groups and between the males of the two groups and the females of the two groups were carried out with the Mann-Whitney test at a prefixed level of alpha = 0.05, using the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. The results indicate a strong similarity of the two linguistic groups in the inter-sex differences, whereas there are no significant differences between them for either males or females. The similar pattern of sexual dimorphism and the homogeneity of the males and females of the two groups suggest a common genetic matrix of these Sardinian-speaking groups.     

台湾闽南汉人肤纹学研究

本文报导台湾闽南汉人的肤纹参数,样本包括100名男性和100名女性。研究的项目有TFRC、a-b RC、atd、tPD、指纹、指间纹、手大小鱼际、猿线、指三角等,并且还分析了同名指指纹对应的情况,见到非随机组合的现象。这是对闽南汉人肤纹较详尽的调查,为人类学、遗传学和医学等提供了较完整的肤纹数据。     

Dermatoglyphic variation and weight and length at birth

Relationships between dermatoglyphic variables, including finger ridge counts and finger, palmar, and plantar pattern intensities, and weight and length at birth, were tested in a sample of 184 boys and 202 girls from Warsaw schools. No convincing evidence for such relationships has been obtained from the results of correlations and one-way analysis of variance, although there are indications that some palmar traits may be related to length at birth in females. The data agree with the common belief that birth weight and birth length are mainly determined by influences operating in later stages of pregnancy, that is, after the 20th gestational week.     

Effect of Genetic Background on the Ratios between Different Types of Dermatoglyphic Patterns: Recessive Genodermatoses

The ratios between dermatoglyphic patterns of different types were studied in males and females with and without hereditary diseases of the skin. It was found that ridge patterns of fingers are determined by special polygenes. Patients with monogenic dermatoses (X-linked ichthyosis and autosomal recessive ichthyosiform erythroderma) exhibited a suppressed formation of the loop pattern compared to control subjects.     

Effect of genetic background on the ratios between different types of dermatoglyphic patterns: recessive genodermatoses

The ratios between dermatoglyphic patterns of different types were studied in males and females with and without hereditary diseases of the skin. It was found that ridge patterns of fingers are determined by special polygenes. Patients with monogenic dermatoses (X-linked ichthyosis and autosomal recessive ichthyosiform erythroderma) exhibited a suppressed formation of the loop pattern compared to control subjects.     

Maternal effects on fingertip dermatoglyphics.

Significantly larger variation between sibships within families of male MZ twins than between sibships within families of female MZ twins, indicative of maternal influences, was found for 10 of 41 dermatoglyphic fingertip variables. Of these, five were thumb-related with the effect primarily on the thumb radial and ridge count (larger of radial and ulnar count). These same variables were previously found to have unequal variances in MZ twins of known placental type, and the results indicate maternal influences in singletons as well as twins for these variables. Although the total ridge count (TRC), previously shown to differ in MZ twins of known placental type (paralleling the thumb radial and ridge counts) did not reach significance, the trend indicated that the observed thumb changes may be reflected in the TRC as well. Little finger pattern type and ulnar counts also showed less variability in families of female MZ twins, but the interpretation is complicated by the concomitant differences in mean squares within-sibships for these little finger variables.     

Dermatoglyphic variation among Finno-Ugric speaking populations: methodological alternatives.

Utilization of dermatoglyphics for population studies is apparently increasing, but methods vary widely among investigators. We investigate how different types of dermatoglyphic data can affect estimates of biological distance among Finno-Ugric speaking populations. Dermatoglyphic distances were calculated using the following categories of traits: 1) Finger ridge-counts (radial and ulnar count for each digit), 2) finger ridge-counts (largest count for each digit), 3) finger pattern types, 4) palm ridge-counts, 5) palm patterns, and 6) main-line terminations. In addition, we compare our distances with those of Heet, which rely heavily on summary characters. Distances are evaluated by comparing them to each other and to language and geographic distances. There is considerable variation in the pattern of relationships resulting from the different variable sets. Finger variables, whether ridge-counts or pattern classifications, agree well with each other. Palm patterns, main-lines, and finger variables show moderate agreement with each other, while palm ridge-counts agree poorly with all variable sets except main-lines. Heet's distances agree poorly with all other dermatoglyphic distances. Finger patterns and main-lines are most closely related to language distances, after controlling for geography, while correlations with geography generally disappear after controlling for language. Heet's distances have weak associations with language and geography. Finger variables and palm main-lines yield results which agree best with historical relationships among Finno-Ugric populations. Our results make it very clear that utilization of dermatoglyphics in population studies requires careful consideration of methods, and that summary measures of quantitative or qualitative data should be used with caution.     

Inbreeding effects on palmar dermatoglyphic characters in three endogamous social groups of West Bengal,India

The present study reports inbreeding effects on mean palmar dermatoglyphic characteristics: triradial count on palm, maximal atd angle, adt angle, td ridge count, ab ridge count, main line index (MLI) and ab ridge breadth. Samples were drawn from adult males belonging to three endogamous sections representing Hindu caste Telaga of Kharagpur (West Midnapore), Ansari Muslims of Nandigram (East Midnapore) and Sheik-Sunni Muslims of Braddhaman in West Bengal, India. Consistent trend of higher mean triradial number, adt angle, and lower mean td ridge count, ab ridge count, and ab ridge breadth was observed in inbred sections compared to their non-inbred relatives in three social groups.     

山西上党地区汉族肤纹研究

报道中国中原山西省上党地区汉族群体肤纹模式样本的参数。样本包括500名男性和500名女性。技术分类用《ADA标准-CDA版本》, 项目参数用《CDA标准》。分析了指纹总嵴线数(TFRC)、指三角a和b间嵴线数(a-bRC)、手掌轴三角t到指三角a和d角度(atd)、轴三角t百分距离(tPD)、指纹、指间纹、手大小鱼际、猿线、指三角等项目的二级模式样本。还分析了同名指指纹对应的情况,非随机组合的现象。山西东南部自古称为"上党", 地处黄河流域中下游广大的中原地带的中心区域,在远古时期就有原始人类聚集生息, 是中华民族发祥地之一, 是研究中原汉族肤纹参数的较具代表性地域。我们建立中原汉族肤纹的模式样本, 为体质人类学等学科研究提供较完整的资料。     

Dermatoglyphic fingerprint heterogeneity among individuals with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate and their unaffected relatives in China and the Philippines

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) is a common birth defect (birth prevalence ranging from 1/500 to 1/2,000) with a complex etiology. Traits potentially related to CL/P, such as dermatoglyphics, may reflect the genetic and epidemiologic heterogeneity observed in CL/P. Such phenotypic heterogeneity in dermatoglyphic patterns may account for some of the variability in previously reported associations of dermatoglyphics and CL/P. To test this hypothesis, we took dermatoglyphic prints from individuals with nonsyndromic CL/P (n = 460) and their unaffected relatives (n = 254) from the Philippines and China. For both samples three raters designated the patterns as arch, ulnar loop, radial loop, whorl, or "other." Chi-square analysis and standard ANOVA were used to investigate heterogeneity between Filipino and Chinese study subjects. The significant associations between particular pattern types and CL/P were not the same in both populations, demonstrating population-specific association of CL/P and dermatoglyphic pattern types. The ANOVA of pattern type included both CL/P cases and their relatives, with affection status, sex, and population group as variables. For each pattern type except arches, population was significant (p < 0.0001); for radial loops, affection status was additionally significant (p < 0.0001). When only CL/P cases were considered, population was again significant for the ulnar loop (p < 0.0001), whorl (p < 0.0001), and "other" (p = 0.0002) patterns. The ANOVAs demonstrate between-population heterogeneity in dermatoglyphic pattern types. These results support our hypothesis that population-specific associations and population heterogeneity in dermatoglyphic patterns exist for CL/P cases and their relatives.     

Digital and palmar dermatoglyphs of South African Whites.

Digital and palmar dermatoglyphs in a random sample of normal Whites from Durban are described. The sample consisted of 200 males and 200 females. Features examined included frequency and distribution of finger patterns, digital and total ridge count, a-b score, and palmar topography. Data from this study are compared to similar data from South African Negroes, Indians, and Coloureds (mixed racial origin) and several outstanding racial characteristics are demonstrated in the dermatoglyphic profiles. It is suggested that the Indians' dermatoglyphic profile is dominant to those of Whites and Negroes.