Sexual dimorphism in dermatoglyphic traits and fluctuating asymmetry in Bulgarians from northeast Bulgaria

In parallel with the development of dermatoglyphics as a method of identification, data have been accumulated on the characteristics of fingerprints related to sex and ethnic origin which make up the statistical basis of this study. The aims of the present study are to determine phenotype variations in the asymmetry of dermatoglyphics in both sexes within the scope of the entire hand skin ridge system; to investigate correlations between the phenotypes; and, to assess the fluctuating asymmetry among the Bulgarian population from the region of northwest Bulgaria. The sample consists of 894 unrelated, clinically healthy individuals (480 females and 414 males) aged 18–50 years, who live in towns and villages in the northwest provinces.Finger and palmar prints were collected using rolled print (inked) method. Twenty dermatoglyphics variables of fingers and hands, separately for right and left hands and jointly for both hands, were statistically assessed. The material was processed by SPSS 12 software. The results of the present study show distinctive sexual differences. Higher values in males are recorded in finger ridge counts, the Furuhata and Cummins indices, the palm ridge counts and the overall ridge counts in all interdigital areas. Males have higher frequency values in patterns Hy, Th/III and Th/IV.     

中国延边朝鲜族手皮纹研究

本文观察研究了400例（男200例;女200例）中国延边地区朝鲜族手的皮纹。调查分析了指纹类型、指嵴纹计数与总数、a-b嵴纹、掌纹真实花样百分率、掌纹类型、atd角等项系数。进行了不同性别、不同民族和人种间的差异性比较。结果表明朝鲜族手皮纹有一定的特征。     

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.     

Sexual dimorphism in the Chuvashian population of Russia in two types of dermatoglyphic traits: principal component analysis

With the aim of determining sexual dimorphism in the component structures among the Chuvashian population of Russia, finger and palmar dermatoglyphics of 547 individuals (293 males, 254 females) were analyzed. The sex differences in two categories of dermatoglyphic traits (22 quantitative traits and 38 asymmetry and diversity traits) are reflected differently and contradictory with other ethnic groups. However, a common feature of the factor 1 "digital pattern size factor" (finger ridge counts from the first category of traits) indicate its degree of universality when compared with other populations, which suggests that the variability of finger ridge counts is determined by the same genes that control the pattern types. The factors "intra-individual finger diversity factor", and "bi-lateral asymmetry factor" extracted from the second category of dermatoglyphic traits are also similar in both sexes. However, these components are hardly described in the literature. The nature of variation of these components (from two categories of dermatoglyphic traits) appears with a good similarity between sexes, which suggests their common biological validity of the underlying component structures of the finger and palmar dermatoglyphic characters.     

Dermatoglyphic studies in rheumatic heart disease

62 patients suffering from rheumatic heart disease were taken from Institute of Child Health, Niloufer Hospital, Hyderabad, for the present dermatoglyphic investigation. The finger, palm and toe prints were analysed to see if there was an association between rheumatic heart disease and any of the dermatoglyphic traits. The parameters which were significantly different from the controls are: (1) reduced frequency of arches on the finger tips in males and increased frequency of whorls in females; (2) increased frequency of patterns in the III interdigital area in males; (3) decreased d-t ridge count in females, and (4) higher incidence of multiple axial triradii in females.     

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.     

赫哲族掌指纹特征研究

本文对166名健康赫哲族人的掌指纹进行了研究,其中男性86名,女性80名。本文列出了58个赫哲族掌指纹参数,将其中52个掌指纹特征输入电子计算机,进行了相关及主成份分析。并且,将赫哲族的掌指纹特征与汉族的掌指纹特征进行了比较。 结果表明:赫哲族的掌指纹特征是与汉族相似的,并且有自己的特征;双手同名指的相关系数大于非同名指,单手相邻指的相关系数大于相隔指;在有关掌指纹特征的研究中,指纹的重要性大于掌纹。     

Digital dermatoglyphics of Bulgarians from northeast Bulgaria

Digital dermatoglyphics were collected from 1,065 male and 1,065 female Bulgarians from northeast Bulgaria. None of the subjects had a diagnosed or suspected genetic or chronic disease of any kind. The fingerprints were classified by the 18-type system of Monique de Lestrange, modified to provide rapid and easy comparison with simpler classification systems. All the standard finger pattern indices were calculated. Certain modifications were introduced into the delta indices, it being borne in mind that each tented arch possesses a triradius and each complex (three-centered, accidental) whorl contains three triradii. A deltadiagram was constructed and its configuration was compared with those of some other populations. In addition, a new radioulnar index was proposed, representing a ratio between all the radial and all the ulnar patterns. The total, absolute, ulnar and radial finger ridge counts were calculated and their sample distributions were investigated. The dermatoglyphic features were evaluated and presented for each sex and each hand separately in order to investigate both the sex and bilateral differences. The set of data presented in this paper is a component of the physical anthropology of the general Bulgarian population. At the same time these data can be used as controls when analyzing the dermatoglyphic findings in Bulgarian patients with genetic diseases or congenital malformations.     

Finger dermatoglyphics of the Rarhi Brahmins of Bengal

The finger prints of 138 individuals belonging to the sub-caste Rarhi Brahmin have been analyzed. In males whorls are more frequent in the right hand than the left, while it is just the reverse in case of loops and arches. Females, however, show higher frequency of loops and lesser frequency of whorls in the right hand than the left, while the arches are more frequent on the left hand of females than the right. Arches are found to be more frequent on the thumb in males, while among females it is found mostly in the second finger. The bimanual difference is statistically significant in both sexes. Right hands are found to be more monomorphic than left hands. Monomorphic hands are less frequent among females than males. In the digitwise occurrence of symmetrical combinations of different patterns, the trend is III>IV>V>I>II in males, and V>IV>III>I>II in females. Males show higher ridge counts in all fingers than do females. Ridge counts are usually found to be higher in the right hand than the left. The sex difference for mean total ridge counts is significant (t = 1.99, 0.05>P > 0.02, d.f. = 136). The bimanual difference is statistically significant for thumbs in both sexes, while the difference for the other digits is not significant.     

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.     

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 dermatoglyphic asymmetry: a comparative study between schizophrenic patients and control groups of West Bengal, India

Quantitative Fluctuating (FA) and Directional asymmetry (DA) of dermatoglyphics on digito-palmar complex were analyzed in a group of 111 patients (males: 61, females: 50) with schizophrenia (SZ), and compared to an ethnically matched phenotypically healthy control (males: 60, females: 60) through MANOVA, ANOVA and canonical Discriminant analyses. With few exceptions, asymmetries are higher among patients, and this is more prominent in FA than DA. Statistically significant differences were observed between patient and control groups, especially in males. In both sexes, FA of combined dermatoglyphic traits (e.g. total finger ridge count, total palmar pattern ridge count) are found to be a strong discriminator between the two groups with a correct classification of over 83% probability.     

Relationship between genetic anomalies of different levels and deviation in dermatoglyphic traits

The present study is carried out to evaluate the effect of chromosomal morbidity (82% are 47XXY and in the remaining cases there is the extra X and/or Y) in the males with Klinefelter’s syndrome, based on dermatoglyphic traits and indices of diversity and asymmetry. The main objectives of the present study is to find dermatoglyphic traits and fluctuating asymmetry indices which could be “marker traits” and could indicate the degree of developmental instability of the organism. The sample of males with Klinefelter’s syndrome (N=171) was collected in the Institute of Human Genetics of Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel, by Professor Bat-Miriam Katznelson during 20 years, between 1968–1988. All patients were confirmed by chromosomal examination. The finger and palm prints were collected with the aid of pads manufactured by Lamedco Inc., Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.A. Interpretation of the prints was according to Cummins and Midlo (1961) and Penrose (1968) and included identification of patterns, ridge counts and the measurements of distances sum of and angles in the palms. 79 dermatoglyphic variables for every patient: 28 continuous traits, 9 discrete traits, 11 indices of intra-individual diversity, 15 indices of directional asymmetry and 16 indices of fluctuating asymmetry were estimated. The problem of asymmetry, fluctuating and directional and of intraindividual diversity of quantitative dermatoglyphic traits is reviewed here as well as illustrated by data obtained on a sample of healthy control group of Jews from Israel. In this first part of our paper we will discuss the data on individual dermatoglyphic traits on digits and palms. The second part will be dedicated to multivariate analysis in order to compare between Klinefelter’s syndrome and control healthy individuals based on quantitative dermatoglyphic traits and indices of diversity and asymmetry.     

Finger dermatoglyphics of the Tibetans

Finger prints of 156 Tibetan males and 150 females have been analyzed. Whorls are more abundant in Tibetan males (60.24%) than in females (48.67%). The index of pattern intensity shows a higher value in males (15.95) than the females (14.65). The bimanual differences (both in males and females) are not statistically significant for the occurrence of pattern on the digits of the right and left hands. However, the difference between the sexes for the occurrence of patterns on the finger balls, are statistically significant. Ridge counting was done for each finger. On all fingers, Tibetan males have higher ridge-counts than females. The possible tendency for the right hands to possess higher ridge-counts cannot be demonstrated statistically. Tibetans show greater affinity with the Southern Mongoloids in the frequency distributions of pattern types on the finger balls. However, a more detailed dermatoglyphic study of all the Mongoloid populations in South East Asia, Central Asia and Far East would yield information of great value in disclosing the palmar pattern distributions among the Mongoloids.     

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.     

西藏藏族起源初探——来自掌指纹的线索

本文采用分层整群抽样的调查方法捺印1183名藏族青少年的掌指纹, 分析掌指纹参数,然后与其他56个群体的掌指纹参数进行聚类分析, 进而从肤纹学角度探讨藏族的起源。发现藏族指纹以斗型纹为主(52.89%), 其次为箕型纹(42.95%), 弓形纹出现频率最低(4.16%); 总指嵴线计数为139.01(其中男性为144.75, 女性为133.87); atd角在男性为42.95°, 女性为43.28°。掌指纹参数聚类分析显示: 藏族与汉族和氐羌氏族的后裔(门巴族、普米族、羌族等)等我国北方人群聚在一起。因而从肤纹学角度推断藏族与汉族和氐羌氏族的亲缘关系较近, 而与印度人和孟加拉人的亲缘关系较远。     

Qualitative dermatoglyphic affinities between the migrant groups of fishermen of Puri Coast, India

Finger and palm prints of 677 subjects (395 males and 282 females) were analyzed for 11 qualitative dermatoglyphic variables to study the relationship between the three migrant groups of fishermen of Puri. Sanghvi's X2-distance gives configuration confirmatory to caste affiliations, quite clearly in males, but to a lesser degree in females. A comparison with distance configurations obtained for quantitative finger/palm variables and for anthropometric/genetic markers suggests that the qualitative dermatoglyphic traits stand out as useful markers in more convincingly portraying the affinities at the level of sub-castes.     

安徽亳州地区回族的皮纹研究

本文报告了安徽省亳州地区400例 (男女各200人) 回族健康人的皮纹参数正常值。调查分析了指纹类型、指嵴纹计数、掌嵴纹计数、主线止区、atd角、t距比、掌褶和掌部花纹类型等项参数。比较了不同性别、左右侧、不同民族和人种间的差异。结果表明,回族有自己的手纹特点,又显示蒙古人种的一般特征。     

Finger dermatoglyphics of the Bagathas of Araku Valley (A.P.), India

Finger prints of the Bagathas, a dominant endogamous tribal population of Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh (India) were analysed. They are distributed in Araku, Paderu and Chintapalli agency areas of Visakhapatnam district of A.P. Investigations on finger prints of 235 males and 235 females reveal that loops are higher in females (57.58%) than in males (49.19%). Sex differences in the distribution of the patterns are statistically significant (X² = 27.8277; d.f. = 2; 0.001 > P). The index of pattern intensity shows a higher value in males (14.17) than the females (12.84). It is evident from the mean ridge counts that there is a clear sexual dimorphism, males showing higher mean ridge counts than females. Bagathas show greater affinity with the Valmikis in the frequency distribution of pattern types and in the pattern intensity index. However, a more detailed dermatoglyphic study of all the tribes of Andhra Pradesh yields information of great value in disclosing the pattern distributions among these Dravidian or proto-Australoid tribal populations.     

PALMAR RIDGE COUNTS IN FAMILIAL DEAFNESS

The present study was undertaken to measure a-b, a-d and td ridge counts of deaf patients and to compare the dermatoglyphic differences among deaf individuals. The data consists of 208 heredo-familial Punjabi Khatri and Arora deaf subjects, including 118 males and 90 femeles. The control sample consists of 228 Punjabis, comprising of 128 males and 100 females. The present study indicates lower incidence of 'a-b', 'a-d' and 'td' ridge counts in deaf groups when compared to the corresponding normal groups.