Easter Islander palmar dermatoglyphics: sexual dimorphism, bilateral asymmetry, and family polymorphism

The palmar prints of 297 male and female Easter Islanders were analyzed according to the Penrose and Loesch topological classification system. While the frequencies of most pattern elements were not found to differ significantly between the sexes, the placement of the axial triradius was found to be highly significant (P less than 0.01). Both males and females were found to exhibit considerable bilateral asymmetry in the a-b count and in the atd angle, but there was no significant difference between the sexes in the amount of asymmetry expressed. Family data for a small subset of the sample (51 individuals) were subjected to further statistical analysis, from which significant results (P less than 0.05) were obtained both on chi-square tests for frequency of pattern elements and ANOVA tests for a-b counts, atd angle, and A-line exit. The implications of these results are considered from a developmental perspective. It is suggested that a particular pattern combination (termed a formula) could be used to represent a default value and that other formulae might then be considered as deviations from this default value. Such variation, theoretically at least, might be traced to genetic influences or to the embryological environment present during the time of dermatoglyphic formation.     

Finger and palmar dermatoglyphics in Seminole Indians of Florida

Hand prints of 146 Florida Seminoles were obtained at the Brighton, Big Cypress and Dania reservations and at the Indian Agency in Dania. Comparisons with other tribes of North American Indians (Comanche, Arapahoe, Navaho, Hopi and Pueblo) reveal similarities with respect to fingerprint indices, frequencies of patterns in all palmar areas, and transverseness of palmar ridges. Comparisons of Seminoles and other North American tribes with the Mayans of southern Mexico and Guatamala show striking differences in pattern frequencies in the thenar/first interdigital area of the palm. Among North American Indians, the frequency varies from 18.49% among Seminoles to 28.5% among Navahoes, whereas all Mayan tribes which have been studied range between 40 and 50%. Pattern frequencies are higher in the thenar/first interdigital area than in the hypothenar area among all Amerindians who have been tested. This trend is the reverse of that found in other racial groups. North, Central and South American Indians are similar with respect to relatively high finger pattern indices, low frequencies of patterns in the hypothenar area, low frequencies of accessory triradii in the interdigital areas and moderately transverse palmar ridges.     

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.     

Remarks on some rare traits of finger and palmar dermatoglyphics

Rare dermatoglyphical patterns of fingers and palms of 26 different Hungarian population groups (males; 3207 individuals, 6414 hands) are compared with that observed in some population groups from the USSR (Buriats, Chookhchees, Kazakhs, Mansi and Komi), Khalkha-Mongolians, and Ethiopians (altogether 838 male individuals, 1676 hands). These patterns are: Radial loops on IV. and V. fingers, absence of triradius "d" on the palms, Ar,Lu and W + S on the hypothenar, Lc/Lr (Bettmann figure) and W + S on the thenar/I, and W on II., III. and IV. interdigital pads. It is pointed out that in addition to population studies these rare traits may also be used in genetic investigations (twin studies) as well as in forensic anthropology (disputed paternity).     

Qualitative aspects of palmar dermatoglyphics in a sample of Sardinian population

The author examines certain qualitative aspects of palmar dermatoglyphics in 820 individuals of both sexes from the city of Cagliari (Sardinia). The overall results obtained are discussed and the sexual and lateral differences are considered. The sample examined differs from other Mediterranean samples because of a tendency toward a vertical trend of the papillary lines, a lower frequency of patterns in the 2nd and 3rd interdigital areas and a higher frequency of patterns in the 4th interdigital area.     

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.     

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.     

The palmar dermatoglyphics of Macaca fascicularis: A comparison with Macaca fuscata

An analysis of the palmar dermatoglyphics from a sizeable population of Macaca fascicularis is presented. These dermatoglyphics are then compared with those obtained by Mitsuo Iwamoto for M. fuscata fuscata and M. fuscata yakui to try and determine if they can be used to delineate species' boundaries. Finally the results as well as possible phylogenetic implications are discussed.     

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.     

Quantitative palmar dermatoglyphics and the assessment of population affinities: data from marine fishermen of Puri, India

Variation in quantitative dermatoglyphics among three endogamous groups of marine fishermen of Puri Coast, India, is greater for the palmar variables than for the fingers. This is the case in both the sexes. The pattern of population affinities, however, differs for the males and females. In order to evaluate the importance of palmar variables in population studies, the results in males are compared with those of finger variables and anthropometrics. There is no significant heterogeneity between the groups for finger variables. Although significant intergroup variability is observed in the palmar and anthropometric traits, the two sets of results are not in the same direction. Palmar dermatoglyphic relationships reflect the caste affiliations, while the anthropometric are in line with geographic proximity.     

Characteristics of digital and palmar dermatoglyphics in people of different ages living in the territory of the Ukrainian Polesie]

Examination of dermatoglyphs in people aged 50-103 living in the territory of the Ukrainian Polesie has revealed age differences in some indices of dermatoglyphics: total crest count, palmar angle, character of the cutaneous pattern of fingers. It assumed that these differences have arisen as a consequence of selection of persons characterized by high reliability of the genotype functioning. The data obtained permit supposing that it is possible to use dermatoglyphics for determining hereditary predisposition of people to longevity.     

Palmar dermatoglyphics of dyslexia

Palmar dermatoglyphic prints were taken of 261 dyslexics (173 males and 88 females) and compared against those of 707 controls (372 males and 335 females). Dyslexics of both sexes were found to exhibit greater complexity in terms of ridge count and pattern location than controls, particularly on the left hand. Specifically, both male and female dyslexics exhibited higher left a-b counts, wider atd angles on both palms, and higher frequencies of pattern in left interdigital area IV. Additionally, male dyslexics also had higher right a-b counts and greater frequency of pattern in the left hypothenar area. Dyslexics of both sexes were also found to have more distally located axial triradii, and investigation of bilateral asymmetry found dyslexics to exhibit more directional asymmetry than controls in the variable of a-b count, with the left value for both groups being greater than the right. It was concluded that the study evidenced strong support for the hypothesis that some causative factor relating to the development of dyslexia is operating during the time period in which dermatoglyphic features are formed. The relevance of these findings in terms of the Geschwind hypothesis and the possible importance of prenatal testosterone are discussed.