Within the various fields of research of the present Biological Anthropology the study of human evolution as well as the study of genetic variation in modern man, hold an eminent place. An importan...

Morphology to Molecular Anthropology: Castes and Tribes of India*

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.

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

Using 22 finger dermatoglyphic variables (radial and ulnar ridge counts on each of the 10 fingers, total number of whorls and total number of loops per individual), affinities among the five endogamous populations of Andhra Pradesh with contrasting ethnohistorical backgrounds were examined. The samples constitute rolled fingerprints of 1,334 individuals of all ages, 736 males and 598 females, and were drawn from the three southern districts of Andhra Pradesh. Univariate analysis of variance, cluster analysis of Mahalanobis' D2 -values, and stepwise discriminant analysis were employed to study the extent of population heterogeneity and nature of relationships among them. The observed dermatoglyphic affinities conform to the known ethnohistorical and geographical backgrounds. The smallest set of 9 most discriminating variables gives the best configuration expected under ethnohistorical backgrounds. Addition of more variables, although further augmenting the dispersion among the group centroids, distrots the picture of known ethnohistorical relatiohships. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Dermatoglyphic affinities among the Telugu populations with contrasting ethnohistorical backgrounds.

The four endogamous groups of fishermen living around the city of Puri, located on the eastern coast of India, were studied for blood groups, red cell enzymes and serum proteins (11 loci). Only 1.3% of the total diversity among the groups studied is due to differences between them (G ST = 0.013). The genetic distances between populations were estimated using Edwards and Cavalli-Sforza's method. The pattern of genetic distance reflects the geographical distribution of these groups. In general, these observations support the patterns of variation based on anthropometric and dermatoglyphic variables.

Genetic differentiation among four groups of fishermen of the eastern coast, India.

Published data on palmar interdigital ridge counts (a-b, b-c, and c-d) among 57 populations from the Indian subcontinent were analyzed with reference to ethnic, socioeconomic, linguistic, and geographic affiliations of the studied populations. The spatial autocorrelation analysis suggests significant correlation between dermatoglyphic and geographic distances. The congruence with the ethnic semblance of the groups is also apparent in the data, and, in fact, the multiresponse permutation procedure did suggest highly significant within-group homogeneity, confirming the biological validity of the social and ethnic criteria used in the analysis. The plots of populations on the first two principal components, accounting for 92% of the total variance, complement and support the results based on the other analyses, which show certain ethnic and geographic patterns. These findings can serve as baseline information for future studies on population variation in India, particularly studies based on molecular genetic markers, a trend that has already gained momentum.

/pdf/patterns-of-ethnic-linguistic-and-geographic-heterogeneity-12vz3fuxyg.pdf

Patterns of Ethnic, Linguistic, and Geographic Heterogeneity of Palmar Interdigital Ridge Counts in the Indian Subcontinent

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.

V P Chopra

Papers

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