Quantitative finger dermatoglyphics in the Mediterranean region of Murcia,Spain

Quantitative finger dermatoglyphics have been analyzed in a Spanish population on the Mediterranean coast, from a sample of 347 individuals (163 males and 184 females) whose four grandparents were born in the studied region (Murcia). From the prints of the sampled individuals, radial, ulnar, and maximal ridge counts have been examined using classical methodology according to the pattern orientation. Kolmogorov test was used to evaluate the normality of the count values. Paired t-test, t-test for two samples, and Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney non-parametric U test were used to explore bimanual and sexual differences. Maximal and radial ridge counts show similar distributions fitting into a normal distribution. Instead, ulnar values show a particular distribution clearly different from normality. The bilateral and sexual differentiation patterns reveal the divergence between the ulnar counts and the maximal and radial values. In comparison to other Iberian populations our results show a particular position of Murcia with the lowest TFRC values in the Spanish variation ranges.