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Geographic altitude, surnames, and height variation of Jujuy (Argentina) conscripts
Author(s) -
Bejarano Ignacio F.,
Dipierri José E.,
Andrade Alberto,
Alfaro Emma L.
Publication year - 2009
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.20915
Subject(s) - altitude (triangle) , geography , demography , population , ethnic group , geographic variation , geographical distance , low altitude , variation (astronomy) , physical geography , sociology , geometry , anthropology , astrophysics , physics , mathematics
The height records of 48,589 conscripts born in Jujuy between 1870 and 1960 were examined in order to study the variation in adult male height (AMH) in terms of geographical altitude and surnames. Data were clustered by origin of surnames (divided into native and foreign names), decades, and according to the four Jujenean geographical regions distributed along an altitudinal gradient (Puna, Quebrada, Valle, and Ramal). The variation of surnames, geographical altitude, and time on human height were examined by analysis of variance. Regardless of the drafting year, individuals in the four regions bearing foreign surnames proved significantly taller ( P < 0.001) than those who had a native surname. Average height, regardless of ethnic group, presented a reverse relationship to geographical altitude. A higher AMH was found in individuals bearing foreign surnames in Jujuy and lower ones in the population located in the highlands and bearing native surnames. Interregional and intergroup AMH variations would be affected by the complex interaction between geographical altitude and factors associated to it and by the ethnic characteristics of these population as well. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.