Principles of Human Genetics.

Substantial archaeological evidence from South Asia confirms the fact that hominin occupation of the Indian subcontinent was widespread by the Middle Pleistocene (Mishra et al, 1995; Petraglia, 2001; Paddayya et al, 2002) Only one South Asian specimen, a partially complete cranium, is considered a definitive hominin from this time period: the Narmada fossil This specimen was discovered in 1982 (Sonakia, 1984) and subsequently described by de Lumley and Sonakia (1985) and Kennedy et al (1991) The taxonomic classification of Narmada has been a matter of contention since its discovery Initially assigned to H erectus, Narmada has also been classified as a member of the “archaic” grade of H sapiens (Kennedy and Chiment, 1991; Cameron et al, 2004) Debate over the taxonomic affinity of Narmada is due in part to its insecure dating as well as its mosaic morphology However, shifting theoretical perspectives on the taxonomy of Middle Pleistocene Homo have also contributed to the debate While previous studies have sought to determine whether Narmada was H erectus or H sapiens, the resurrection of the taxon H heidelbergensis to encompass many intermediary fossils between these two groups reconfigures the question of Narmada’s taxonomic status In this study I examine the morphological features of the Narmada fossil using a comparative sample of Middle Pleistocene specimens designated by many as H heidelbergensis Early and Late Pleistocene specimens are included, as well as a sample of early Holocene specimens from archaeological sites throughout the subcontinent Finally, I include a sample of Andaman Islanders for comparison Narmada’s classification is evaluated using a statistical technique, multinomial logistic regression This method is comparable to discriminant function analysis which is often used to evaluate the taxonomic affinities of a new specimen However, unlike discriminant function analysis, multinomial

Was Homo heidelbergensis in South Asia? A test using the Narmada fossil from central India

Numerous authors have studied human cemetery remains with an eye toward identifying different socially stratified ethnic or kinship groups within the same population. The interments of the protohistoric graveyard of Alfedena, Abruzzo, Italy, show recurrent organization in separate structures, suggesting to several involved archaeologists that these structures express family groups and/or differences in social function of the occupants. This has induced us to analyze the possible biological implications of specific models for kinship groups, lineages, or mating forms in graveyards. One hundred ninety-six metric and nonmetric skeletal and dental variables were collected. The analysis of metric features was performed by analysis of variance and by calculating divergences between each pair of individuals. The position parameters of the inter-and intragroup distance distributions were then compared by means of nonparametric tests. The nonmetric features were analyzed by contingency tables.



The partition of intercircle variance is twice as frequently significant for males (20 variables) as for females (10). For metric variables in males, 20.9% displayed a probability level less than 5% for the null hypothesis of random distribution of individuals in the circles. Fewer (10.3%, but still more than expected at random) reached this level of significance for the females. In the male groups, 19% of nonmetric features showed significant frequency differences, but this was true in only 4.3% of the females. In view of Morton's demonstration of the ineffectiveness of exogamic clans as a genetic barrier, and having verified the existence of morphometric and morphological similarities inside the groups of graves, we can reasonably assume the latter to be the expression of kinship groups (perhaps patrilocal), such as families.

Familial segregation in the iron age community of Alfedena, Abruzzo, Italy, based on osteodental trait analysis.

Variations in finger and palmar dermatoglyphic patterns are investigated among the Limboo (18-60 years, 150 males and 150 females), a little known population of Sikkim. The results for Limboo were compared with other North-East Indian populations. The most commonly occurring pattern was loop (males: 64.33%; females: 75.00%) followed by whorl (males: 31.00%; females: 21.33%) and finally arch (males: 4.67%; females: 3.66%). There were no significant differences between sexes in pattern types. The overall values of pattern intensity (P.I.I.), Dankmeijer's (D.I.) and Furuhata's (F.I.) indices were 14.08, 12.60 and 96.06 respectively. The P.I.I. was within the range for East Asian populations of North-East India. The D.I. was similar to those reported for Rajbanshi, Kalita, Rabha and Newar populations, while F.I. was higher than in other populations of Eastern Himalaya and North-East India. The most frequently occurring mainline formulae in all palm prints (left and right combined) were 7.5'.5.- followed by 9.7.5.- and finally 11.9.7.- (p>0.05) and these were similar to the reported values for other North-eastern populations of India. The mean values of total finger ridge count (TFRC) and absolute finger ridge count (AFRC) were greater among males (138.03; s=42.26 and 198.78; s=77.4) than females (137.91; s=44.15 and 194.47; s=86.71). The a-b ridge count was greater among females than males. Sex differences in AFRC and a-b ridge count were both statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean TFRC values were within ranges for populations of North-East India. Cluster analysis based on P.I.I., D.I. and F.I. shows affinity of the Limbo to some of the populations of Assam and North-East India.

Dermatoglyphic variation among the Limboo of Sikkim, India.

The present study reports the anthro-pogenetic traits such as tongue rolling and tongue folding of the Vannekula Kshatriya caste population of Andhra Pradesh in a sample of 125 male and 90 female subjects aged over 20 years. The frequency distribution of tongue rolling and tongue folding is lower than non-rolling and non-folding. The proportion of rollers and folders among males are much less than their female counterparts. These traits fail to establish statistically significant bisexual variation. There is no significant association between the combinations of tongue rolling and tongue folding. The Vannekula Kshatriya caste population shows signi-ficantly lower frequencies of tongue rolling as well as tongue folding with majority of the neighbouring populations of the state.

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Study on Anthropogenetic Traits in a Caste Group of Andhra Pradesh

Five family pedigrees of people of Karnataka have been analysed to study the inheritance pattern of the genetic defects of missing left forearm, polydactyly, atrophied toes and nails and lobster claw deformity of hands and syndactylous feet, all possibly autosomal dominant genetic traits. These deformities affected eight persons among a total of 211 individuals represented by five pedigrees belonging to 18 generations. They are from Lingayat, Muslim, Valmiki and Brahmin communities inhabiting Dharwad city, Hosahalli Village in Dharwad district and Hubli city. The first pedigree siblings of the propositus with missing left forearm and the second and third pedigree siblings as well as the ancestors of the propositi with polydactylous hands were all phenotypically normal, indicating the variable expression of the gene for polydactyly. The fourth pedigree propositus with atrophied toes and nails might be attributed to a condition known as anonychia. The fifth pedigree proposita with cleft hands and syndactylous feet might have resulted due to autosomal dominant genes with variable expressivity and penetrance. The variable expression of genes for polydactyly and anonychia in the Karnataka females is predominantly a vertical type of inheritance rather than horizontal one. With the help of these pedigrees an attempt has been made to interpret the pattern of inheritance of the reported anomalies.

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Genetic Defects in Karnataka (India): Evidence and Factors

Abstract The paper reports the variation of tongue rolling and folding among four sub-castes of the Reddis, a major caste population of Andhra Pradesh, based on a randomly selected sample of 800 unrelated male individuals, 200 from each sub-caste. The Proportion of tongue rollers was comparatively lower than non-rollers in Kodide Reddis(28.50%) followed by Pedakanti Reddis(44.50) and Motati Reddis(48.00%), whereas in Desuri Reddis(37.50%). In Comparison with other populations of Andhra Pradesh the Reddis showed a relatively lower frequency of tongue rollers and a higher frequency of tongue folders.

Tongue Rolling and Tongue Folding Among Four Reddi Sub-Castes of Andhra Pradesh

In a sample of 800 unrelated male individuals, 200 from each sub-castes of Desuri Reddis (DSR), Pedakanti Reddis (PKR), Motati Reddis (MTR) and Kodide Reddis (KDR) were studied to estimate variatio...

Qualitative Finger Dermatoglyphic Variation and Distance Among Four Reddi Populations of Andhra Pradesh

Five select Reddi populations based on 750 males in the age range of 20 to 50 years have been studied for 15 anthropometric measurements and 10 indices. The Pokanati show higher mean value for a majority of the measurements. F-values are significant for all measurements except for bicristal breadth. All indices but nasal index show negligible variation. Mesocephalic heads predominate among Pokanati and dolicocephalic heads among the rest. the cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis, as diagrammatically represented, show the extent of variation among the five Reddi populations.

Anthropometric Variation among the Reddis of Southern Andhra Pradesh, India

The site of Kodumanal, named after the village of the same name (11o 6’42” N. & 77o30’51E), is situated 225 km. to the west of Thanjavur town and 40 km. from Erode town on the north bank of Noyyal river, a tributary of the Kaveri river, in the Periyar district of Tamil Nadu. The credit of discovering the site first goes to Pulavar S. Raju and Miss. M. Muthaiah. The site extends over an area of about 50 hectares, 15 of which consist of the habitation part and the rest of burial complex. As many as about 300 megalithic tombs of different types and sizes were observed of which 100 of them are still intact. Big cist circles measuring about 15 metres in diameter constitute the most common type of monument. Many of these circles have menhirs in them and some contain even urn burials. The different types of archaeological evidence, particularly pottery, beads and shell bangles and the Brahmi script on pottery recovered from the habitation deposits and burials suggest that the megalithic communities flourished from about the 2nd century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D., when the post Megalithic folk succeeded them and continued until or the 4th century A.D. The Kodumanal village, historically designated as Kodumanam, is referred to in the Sangam literature as an important industrial centre which had links with the Chola port city of Kaveripoompattinam. Considering the importance of the site and its well preserved nature the Tamil University at Thanjavur carried out large scale excavations on it during two seasons, under the leadership of Prof. Y. Subbarayalu, Professor of Epigraphy. The first season’s excavations of a habitation mound, which included a composite pit burial of post-excarnation type, yielded the skeletal remains of three humans. A craniometric account of these has already been published (Rami Reddy and Chandrasekhar Reddy, 1987). During the second season, a trench called ZJ26 was laid in the northern part of the habitation mound. This represents period II of the site. The second quadrant of the trench yielded two complete adult human skeletons with their skulls intact, the first one from a depth of 45-60 cm. and the second from a depth of 78-90 cm. There was a third specimen of a skull and mandible separated and a few bone fragments found in the III and IV quadrants at a depth of 65 cm. (Fig.1). The first skeleton was in a crouched position with the head placed to the east, the left hand between the legs and the right hand below the right leg. It was devoid of any associated finds. The second skeleton was found in a “padmasana-like” posture in a southeast-northwest orientation with an easterly placed head and up-looking face tending to tilt to the north. The right hand rested on the pelvis while the left hand was bent upwards with the palm placed just below the mandible.

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V. Rami Reddy

Papers

Genetic Defects in Karnataka (India): Evidence and Factors

Tongue Rolling and Tongue Folding Among Four Reddi Sub-Castes of Andhra Pradesh

Qualitative Finger Dermatoglyphic Variation and Distance Among Four Reddi Populations of Andhra Pradesh

Anthropometric Variation among the Reddis of Southern Andhra Pradesh, India

Morphometric Status of Human Skeletal Remains From Kodumanal, Periyar District, Tamil Nadu