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Population variation in asymmetry and diversity from finger to finger for digital ridge‐counts
Author(s) -
Jantz Richard L.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330420207
Subject(s) - ridge , dermatoglyphics , fluctuating asymmetry , asymmetry , diversity (politics) , population , genetic diversity , variation (astronomy) , evolutionary biology , genetic variation , biology , genetics , demography , paleontology , anthropology , sociology , physics , quantum mechanics , astrophysics
Population variation in ridge‐count asymmetry and diversity from finger to finger has received scant attention in dermatoglyphic studies. Asymmetry, in particular, has generally been attributed to environmental effects operating during the formation of dermal ridges. Examination of samples from several groups of diverse racial background revealed the existence of considerable population variation with respect to finger ridge‐count asymmetry and diversity from finger to finger. Patterning along population lines suggests a genetic rather than environmental basis for such variation. The genetic mechanisms responsible for ridge‐counts may also mediate asymmetry and diversity, or the degree of developmental stability in different populations may itself be under genetic control.