A family study of dermatoglyphic traits in India: resolution of genetic and uterine environmental effects for palmar pattern ridge counts

The inheritance of palmar pattern ridge counts for individual palmar areas, combined distal areas, and all ten areas combined was investigated in families belonging to two strictly endogamous Brahmin castes of peninsular India. Ridge count phenotypes were obtained by the method proposed by Malhotra et al. (1981a), however, zero observations (indicating patterns not circumscribed by triradii) were excluded from analysis. Path analytic methods were applied in order to determine the relative influences of polygenes, intrauterine environment, and residual environment. The proportion of genetic variation was, in general, consistently greater in one population than the other, and significant intrauterine environmental effects were detected for the population with lower heritabilities. The results of this investigation suggest that a simple polygenic model may not be sufficient to explain the inheritance of ridge counts in the interdigital IV configurational area. Distal pattern ridge counts do not appear to be influenced by more or less uterine environmental effects than all areas considered together. The proportion of genetic variation for the total palmar pattern ridge count was 52% in both populations.     

Genetic basis of a-b, b-c and c-d ridge counts on human palms

The mechanism of inheritance of ridge count of palmar interdigital areas has been studied among Brahmans of Sagar town of Central India. The correlation coefficients between ridge counts in various family relationships lend support to the concept of an additive genetic model, especially for the b-c or second interdigital area.     

A family study of dermatoglyphic traits in India: segregation analysis of accessory palmar triradii and the atd angle

Accessory triradii and the atd angle were examined via complex segregation analysis in order to evaluate possible genetic effects on these dermatoglyphic traits, measured in an endogamous Brahmin caste of peninsular India. The phenotypes considered included: presence of accessory palmar triradii a' and d', associated with the interdigital areas II and IV, respectively; presence of an accessory axial triradius tt' associated with the proximal margin of the palm; and an arctanh-transformation of the atd angle measurement. For all accessory triradii considered in the present investigation familial resemblance was evident. The most parsimonious model which could account for the observed resemblance was a multifactorial model that includes polygenic effects as well as transmissible environmental effects that are inherited in the same pattern as polygenes. Evidence of familial resemblance was also found for the arctanh-transformed atd angle, which could be attributed, initially, to both a major effect and a multifactorial component. Tests of transmission of a putative major gene were performed which yielded results consistent with Mendelian transmission, although an alternative test of no transmission of the major effect also fit the data. In light of these contrasting results we are precluded from accepting with confidence the notion of a major gene influence on the atd angle. We have concluded that the accessory triradii a', d', and tt', and the atd angle are influenced by multifactorial effects, including additive polygenes and possible environmental factors, such as intrauterine effects.     

Palmar pattern frequencies as indicators of relationships among Sardinian linguistic groups of males

Palmar pattern frequencies were used to calculate distance coefficients between Sardinian linguistic groups of males for the purpose of verifying, by means of correlation matrix analyses, whether or not the dermatoglyphic traits considered lead to a reliable identification of the biological relationships on the basis of the linguistic backgrounds of these groups. With Sanghvi's as the distance measure and by using palmar pattern frequencies in the Hy area, Th/I, II, III, and IV interdigital areas and all traits together for palms combined or separated were calculated dermatoglyphic distance measures. Mantel tests of matrix correspondence showed that, by using palmar pattern frequencies in the Th/I interdigital area (palms combined), in the II, III, and IV interdigital areas, or all traits together for palms combined and separated, statistical significance between dermatoglyphic and linguistic distances can be obtained, even when the effect of geography is removed; there is no statistically significant correspondence between geographic and dermatoglyphic distance matrices, even when the effect of language is removed. The results obtained in this study by means of the Mantel test procedure demonstrate that the dermatoglyphic traits analyzed, with the exception of palmar pattern frequencies in the Hy area and in the Th/I interdigital area for plams separated when these areas are used singly, can be considered as a good set of variables to use in finding biological relationships between Sardinian linguistic groups of males examined on the basis of their linguistic backgrounds.     

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.     

A family study of dermatoglyphic traits in India. Resolution of genetic and environmental effects for manus,pes and total pattern ridge counts in man

Various constructed ridge count phenotypes were studied in two endogamous populations from peninsular India. Heritabilities were estimated for five summed pattern ridge count traits: fingers and toes together; palms and soles together; fingers and palms together (manus); toes and soles together (pes); and fingers, palms, toes and soles together, defined as the total ridge count in man. In general, these phenotypes were found to he highly heritable, with the summed ridge counts for fingers and toes, and total ridge count showing almost Complete determination by additive polygenes. Total manus and pes pattern counts are less heritable. Little or no uterine environmental effects were detected for any of these phenotypes.     

Dermatoglyphics of the nganasans and the forest entsy from the Taimir Peninsula

Dermatoglyphic data on 17 traits (digital arches, ulnar loops, whorls, patterns on the hypothenar and thenar/I,II,III, and IV interdigital areas, main line C absence and its incompleteness, mean digital ridge-count, a–b, b–c, and c–d ridge–counts, atd angle, pattern intensity index, and main line index) are presented in this paper for 194 males and 224 females from the Taimir Peninsula. Also presented is a population analysis of the Taimir aborigines based on quantitative traits, and comparisons of this population with some Siberian and North American populations.     

Race differences in the sex dimorphism of dermatoglyphic traits

For three dermatoglyphic traits it could be proved that there are racial differences in sex dimorphism. The results are as follow: (1) For the index of pattern intensity (158 samples), the sex difference is significantly higher in Negroids than in Europoids and Mongoloids. (2) For total ridge count, the sex difference is lower in Negroids than in Europoids. The discrepancy between (1) and (2) has been discussed. (3) The number of samples with higher frequencies of palmar patterns in males than in females is significantly higher in Negroids than in Mongoloids and Europoids for the hypothenar and III interdigital and lower in Mongoloids than in Europoids and Negroids for the II interdigital (max. 127 samples).     

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.     

Relationships of epidermal ridge patterns with body measurements and their possible evolutionary significance

It is commonly believed that in humans epidermal ridge patterns are in regression relative to nonhuman primates, and they play no role in adaptive processes. In contrast with this we have found relationships between anthropometric and dermatoglyphic measurements in a sample of 61 normal males. Anthropometric variables included limb, trunk, head, and face measures. Dermatoglyphic variables included finger ridge counts and pattern intensities and ridge breadth in the palmar interdigital area II. The strongest relationship is between the type and size of pattern on the thumb and the breadth of ridges, and wrist width, which accounts for nearly 30% of the total variance in these traits. These findings identify previously unknown sources of variation in dermatoglyphic patterns and indicate that the dermatoglyphic-anthropometric relationships might have resulted from selection pressures in evolution of modern man.     

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。     

a-b palmar interdigital ridge-count in the Basque population

The a-b palmar interdigital ridge count was analyzed in a sample of 841 males and 911 females of Basque origin. Bimanual differences were not found, against that a significant sexual dimorphism. The mean ridge count value is in the lower lange of the variability among White populations.     

Resolution of genetic and uterine environmental effects in a family study of new dermatoglyphic measure: sole pattern ridge counts

The heritability of sole pattern ridge counts was examined in two family studies of endogamous castes from peninsular India. The phenotypes included ridge counts for each of the eight configurational areas separately, all areas combined, and only distal areas combined. Differences in heritability estimates were found between populations as well as among the individual configurational areas. Although some ridge counts do not show familial resemblance, others appear to be moderately heritable. Estimates of h2 range from 0.36 to 0.63 in one family series and from 0.22 to 0.51 in the other. In addition, significant uterine environmental effects were detected in one family series but not in the other.     

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.     

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。     

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。     

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.     

Dermatoglyphic changes during the population admixture between Kam and Han Chinese

Genetic studies and gene localization for human dermatoglyphs are currently ongoing. However, the inheritance modes of various genetic traits are not well understood because of the complexity of dermatoglyph genetics. The study of admixed populations can contribute to the understanding of population genetic traits of dermatoglyphs. Here, we present the dermatoglyphic characteristics of Kam and Liujia Han, and the admixed population consisting of these two parent populations.The characteristics of the admixed population do not always fall in the same ranges as the parent population characters but do seem to be biased to Kam or Liujia parent populations, depending on sex and ethnicity of parents. The total frequencies of different fingerprint types do not differ among these populations, but several of the quantitative traits and the palm true pattern frequencies do significantly differ between admixed and parent populations. The simple arch fingerprint frequency decreases significantly in the admixed population in comparison with parent populations while both simple whorl fingerprint frequency and finger ridge counts increase significantly. True pattern frequency of the span area of interdigital III and IV areas on right hands and the radial-loop frequency of the right index fingers in the admixed populations are consistent with their matrilineal population. These dermatoglyphic changes may result from increased heterozygosity in the admixed population. The genetic modes of these changes may be relatively simple and will be useful for future dermatoglyph genetic studies.      

Quantitative and genetic features of epidermal ridge minutiae on the palm of twins

The total minutia count (TMC) and fork index (FI), i.e., the proportion of forks in total minutiae, were examined in palm prints of 20 pairs each of monozygotic and dizygotic Japanese twins. No bilateral difference was found in either trait. The mean of the TMC was higher in males than in females, but the FI showed no sex difference. Both traits presented relatively high intraclass correlation coefficients between monozygotic twins, and genetic control of these traits is suggested. However, no correlation was observed between these two traits. A slight correlation was observed between the TMC and the total palmar interdigital ridge count. Some methodological problems concerned with classification criteria were discussed.