Dermatoglyphic assessment of the genetic relationships of native American populations

Genetic distance techniques and cluster analysis were used to determine which dermatoglyphic parameters were most useful in assessing genetic relationships between native American populations. The dermatoglyphic parameters used for this analysis were those most completely reported in the papers examined in a literature survey we had carried out previously, and include digital patterns, modal types of the C-line and D-line terminations, and palmar patterns in the hypothenar, thenar/I, and interdigital areas. The populations examined were separated by sex and divided into seven major geographical groups: Eskimo; North American Indian; Maya and non-Maya (Central America); Amazonian; Quechua, and Aymara (South America). Mean frequencies of dermatoglyphic traits were computed for each group and pairwise “genetic” distances calculated using Cavalli-Sforza and Edward's D-test. Dendrograms were then generated from these D-values using Q-mode cluster analysis. Using the hypothenar, thenar/I and III and IV interdigital areas, the results of this analysis demonstrated a good fit to an expected phylogenetic tree. When digital patterns, patterns in the II interdigital area, and the modal types of the C-line were included in the analysis, the same phylogenetic relationships were observed. However, inclusion of the modal types of the D-line with the other parameters tended to introduce some distortion and a greater separation between sexes within the same populations.     

Population structure in Sardinia on the basis of quantitative palmar dermatoglyphic traits

We describe the genetic structure of twenty Sardinian subpopulations using quantitative palmar dermatoglyphic traits (a-b, and A-d counts, atd angle value, coefficient of Turpin and Lejeune, main line index, mean of A-, B-, C, and D-line terminations) of 3777 subjects (2043 males and 1734 females). The twenty subdivisions represent sixteen historical-geographic areas of the island in which people speaks Sardinian language, Sassarese and Gallura areas in which people speaks two Italian dialects, and the two communities of Alghero (Catalan speaking) and Carloforte (Ligurian speaking). Analysis was carried out for both hands and both sexes combined and using R-matrix technique and the extension of the Harpending-Ward model to quantitative traits according to Relethford & Blangero (1990). Multivariate minimum F_st value (0.0127) is higher than that of most. Mediterranean populations and shows the importance of isolation and genetic drift as evolutive forces at the basis of microdifferentiation among the Sardinian subpopulations considered. However, when the four populations not speaking Sardinian language are removed from the analysis, the value of F_st decreases to 0.008. The regression of mean genetic variance on distances from the centroid (r_ii values) states the marked effect of the genetic drift for Nuorese and Barbagia di Ollolai subdivisions (placed in the inner and mountainous areas of Sardinia) and reveals considerable levels of admixture for Carloforte subdivision. The contemporary genetic structure of these groups reflects their historical, linguistic and geographic characteristics. On the whole, our analysis confirms the usefulness of quantitative dermatoglyphic traits in studying genetic population structure.     

Qualitative dermatoglyphic traits as measures of population distance

Thirteen Iranian populations of diverse origin have been analyzed for qualitative dermatoglyphic features utilizing bilateral finger and palmar prints of 3,158 individuals. Bimanual differences were significant for some of the features examined, whereas sex differences were frequently nonsignificant. Interpopulational variation displayed significant heterogeneity for all of the features studied. Distance analysis and constructed dendrograms provided separation between populations in agreement with known ethnohistoric records for hypothenar triradii, and for palmar and finger patterns, but not for the terminations of the D-Line.     

Diversity of C-line terminations in Iranian populations

Thirteen Iranian populations of diverse origins have been analyzed for C-line terminations, utilizing bilateral palmar prints of 3,158 individuals. Significant bimanual and male/female differences were frequently found in these populations. Interpopulational variation displayed significant heterogeneity. Distance analysis and constructed dendrograms provided separation between the populations, but the dendrograms are not in agreement with the ethnohistoric records of the populations studied.     

Types and combinations of axial triradii among the 20 Dhangar castes of Maharashtra,India

Bilateral palmar prints of 3000 males belonging to 20 endogamous Dhangar castes of Maharashtra, India, have been analysed for types and combinations of axial triradii after Cummins and Midlo (1943). Altogether 17 types of axial triradii were found among the Dhangars, but only typest, t′, tt″ occur in appreciable frequencies. The magnitude of intercaste differentiation in respect to axial triradii is considerably low; only 13 caste-pairs (6.84%) out of 190 pairs showed significant difference at the 5% level. Compared to several other palmar elements, like palmar true patterns, main line terminations, palmar flexion creases, the axial triradius has a considerably low level of differentiation among these nomadic, seminomadic and settled Dhangar castes. This suggests that the axial triradii are perhaps more stable compared to many other palmar elements. These results need to be confirmed by data from other populations.     

Polymorphism of the C line of palmar dermatoglyphics with a new classification of the C line terminations

The terminations of the C line of the palm were classified into four modal types according to the direction of their path. These are (1) Ulnar type with 3, 4, 5′, 5″, 6 or 7 terminations; (2) Radial type with terminations in the palmar areas 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13; (3) Proximal type representing the terminations X, x, or 8; and (4) Absent type where no c triradius is present. The frequency of these four modal types exhibits strong racial variation, as well as strong bilateral polymorphism.     

The dermatoglyphics of American Negroes

Digital and palmar dermatoglyphics of 184 male and 224 female normal American Negroes were evaluated for digital patterns, digital ridge counts, palmar patterns, palmar main line terminations, accessory triradii and palmar creases. All subjects were seven year olds examined and found free of chronic or other genetic diseases. The results were presented for the left and right hand for the most part comparable to those of the African and other American Negro groups reported earlier. The distributions of the various dermatoglyphic features among the Negroes taken as a group were compared to those of the other racial groups and their differences were discussed.     

Confirmation of the Identification of the Major C-29 Hydrocarbons of Sarcina lutea

Although there is agreement on the fact that Sarcina lutea strain FD-533 has branched C-29 monoalkenes as major hydrocarbon components, there is disagreement in the literature as to the nature of the branching. This has been resolved by analyses of the fatty acids produced by permanganate-periodate treatment of each of the resolvable hydrocarbon fractions making up the C-29 complex. The three major components are identified as doubly branched, Delta(13) species with two iso terminations, one iso and one anteiso termination, and two anteiso terminations.     

Diversity of topological palmar patterns in Iranian populations

The bilateral palmar prints of 3,158 females and males from 13 Iranian populations of diverse origins were analyzed to see how well topological palmar pattern frequencies reflect population distances. The results showed bimanual variation among most of the populations studied. Sex variation showed significant differences among all of the populations studied. Distance analysis and constructed dendrograms showed separation between the populations studied. These distances were frequently in agreement with the known ethnohistoric background of the populations studied. The male data gave better results. It appears that topological palmar patterns are a better indicator of population distance than topological finger patterns.     

Diversity of palmar pattern ridge counts in Iranian populations

We analyzed bilateral palmar prints of 3,158 individuals from 13 Iranian populations of diverse origins for palmar pattern ridge counts. Right palms did not show greater counts than the left in the majority of the populations studied. Highly significant interpopulational variation was observed for most palmar areas of both males and females. Dendrograms of males and combined sexes showed a good fit with the ethnohistoric background of the populations studied. The results thus demonstrate variation in the palmar pattern ridge counts of populations of diverse origins and may be used as a good measure of population distance.     

裕固族皮纹学初步研究

本文研究了甘肃裕固族青少年儿童346人的皮纹学特征,报道了斗、箕、弓各型指纹的频率,指纹指数,总指嵴数,a-b嵴数,通关手出现率,掌纹真实花样等8项皮纹学参数和主线止区的分布比例。并作了性别、手别、族别及人种间的比较。结果表明,裕固族既具有蒙古人种的皮纹特征,也有一些白种人的皮纹特点,这可能暗示着裕固族有白种人的血统。     

Comparative analysis of dermatoglyphic traits in Hungarian and Gypsy populations

We examined dermatoglyphic prints of children in 11 Hungarian and 5 Gypsy population samples (collected from 1,998 children). We compared Hungarian and Gypsy populations based on 22 finger and 24 palmar traits. In univariate comparisons the two ethnic groups differed significantly in half of the studied variables (9 finger and 14 palmar traits). We used several types of multivariate analyses of the studied traits to separate the population samples. Homogeneity analysis and discriminant analysis proved to be the most appropriate method to distinguish the populations, whereas a principal components analysis was less adequate. Multivariate analyses were conducted separately for both finger and palmar traits. Although the differences between the populations were more pronounced for palmar traits, in our study Hungarian and Gypsy populations showed the best separation when finger and palmar traits were combined for analysis, except in the principal components analysis. As expected, the Hungarian and Gypsy populations separated definitely in most statistical analyses; the main reason for this is the different origins of the two ethnic groups. The existence of the difference also shows that admixture between Hungarians and Gypsies has been small despite their living beside one another for several centuries.     

Variation in maximal angle <atd among 20 Dhangar castes of Maharashtra,India

In a sample of 3000 males belonging 20 endogamous castes from Maharashtra were analysed to determine specifically the distribution of <atd along with bilateral differences and population variation. The right, left and right plus left sides, each separately exhibit unimodal, meptokurtic and positively skewed distribution in all populations. The mean and standard deviations are significantly heterogenous in nature. Non-significant bilateral differences of atd angle toward symmetry express well in all 20 castes. Population variations are found to be lesser, i.e. 44 (23.16%) significant out of 190 caste pairs compared to other palmar quantitative variables like interdigital ridge counts — ab, bc and cd; and main line index. These results suggests, angle atd is more stable phenotype compared to some other palmar quantitative characters.     

Diversity in palmar pattern ridge counts among 12 Iranian populations

Bilateral palmar prints of 604 male individuals from 12 Iranian groups, six Mongoloid and six Caucasoid, have been analyzed for palmar pattern ridge counts (PPRC). Highly significant variation has been observed in the size of the palmar patterns in all the configurational areas among the Iranian groups. The distance analysis based on PPRCs differentiated the Iranian Mongoloid from the Iranian Caucasoid groups into distinct clusters. The pattern of differentiation based on PPRCs explained the ethnohistoric relationships between the Iranian groups as well as between the Iranian and the 20 Caucasoid groups from India much better than the palmar pattern frequencies. The results of this study demonstrate the existence of variation in the size of the palmar patterns across different populations within an ethnic group, as well as that among different ethnic groups, and seems to be a better indicator of interpopulational diversity than the palmar pattern frequencies.     

Quantitative digital and palmar dermatoglyphics: Sexual dimorphism in the Chuvashian population of Russia

With the aim of determining sex dimorphism among the Chuvashian population of Russia, digital and palmar dermatoglyphics of 547 individuals (293 males, 254 females) were analyzed. The sex differences for PII, TRC, and AFRC are similar to Indian and Jewish populations. Correlation coefficients between individual finger ridge counts are a little lower than in Jews but are almost equal to Indian populations. The Mantel test of matrix correlation between sexes for 22 traits shows a very good similarity. However, sex differences of palmar traits display different levels when compared with other human populations. In light of this, our evidence indicates the possible role of environmental (prenatal) factors in the realization of dermatoglyphic sex differences. The development of palmar dermatoglyphics has had a relatively longer growth period compared with fingers [Cummins, H., 1929. The topographic history of the volar pads (walking pads, tast ballen) in the human embryo. Embryol. 20, 103-126]. The palmar dermatoglyphic pattern of affinities therefore corresponds better than fingers to the ethno historical background of the populations, ascertained by numerous studies.     

A method for subclassifying the interdigital patterns: a comparative study of the palmar configurations

A method for subtyping the interdigital patterns is introduced, which is based upon the direction of the main line terminations as well as the presence of accessory triradii. The palmar patterns of several population samples from our files representing the Caucasians, Negroes, Miconesians and New Guinean groups are evaluted in terms of the introduced calssification and the results demonstrate a number of differences between the major racial groups. In additin, the thenar/I and hypothenar patterns are subtyped according to the classifications of Cummins and Midlo. These data also indicate the inadequacy of the general open/arch, vestige, loop, whorl identification of the plamar patterns. It is hoped that more data will be studied along these lines for establishment of more accurate frequencies among the various racial groups.     

New insights into the history of the C-14010 lactase persistence variant in Eastern and Southern Africa

Lactase persistence (LP), the ability to digest lactose into adulthood, is strongly associated with the cultural traits of pastoralism and milk-drinking among human populations, and several different genetic variants are known that confer LP. Recent studies of LP variants in Southern African populations, with a focus on Khoisan-speaking groups, found high frequencies of an LP variant (the C-14010 allele) that also occurs in Eastern Africa, and concluded that the C-14010 allele was brought to Southern Africa via a migration of pastoralists from Eastern Africa. However, this conclusion was based on indirect evidence; to date no study has jointly analyzed data on the C-14010 allele from both Southern African Khoisan-speaking groups and Eastern Africa. Here, we combine and analyze published data on the C-14010 allele in Southern and Eastern African populations, consisting of haplotypes with the C-14010 allele and four closely-linked short tandem repeat loci. Our results provide direct evidence for the previously-hypothesized Eastern African origin of the C-14010 allele in Southern African Khoisan-speaking groups. In addition, we find evidence for a separate introduction of the C-14010 allele into the Bantu-speaking Xhosa. The estimated selection intensity on the C-14010 allele in Eastern Africa is lower than that in Southern Africa, which suggests that in Eastern Africa the dietary changes conferring the fitness advantage associated with LP occurred some time after the origin of the C-14010 allele. Conversely, in Southern Africa the fitness advantage was present when the allele was introduced, as would be expected if pastoralism was introduced concomitantly. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:661–664, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Qualitative finger and palmar dermatoglyphics: sexual dimorphism in the Chuvashian population of Russia

Qualitative finger and palmar dermatoglyphics of 547 individuals (293 males, 254 females) belonging to the Chuvashian population of Russia were studied to determine sexual dimorphism. The pattern types are not uniformly distributed on 10 fingers. Sex difference is homogeneous in all fingers whereas palmar patterns reflect the better sex variations for three palmar configurational areas (II, III, and IV). This is perhaps due to embryological development, having a relatively longer growth period compared with fingers (Cummins 1929). The present results of the Chuvashian population are not similar to the results of the five Indian populations of our previous study (Karmakar et al. 2002), perhaps due to a major ethnic difference.