a-b Ridge Count in a Basque Population: Fluctuating Asymmetry and Comparison with Other Populations

We have analyzed the a-b ridge count and its fluctuating asymmetry in a sample (331 males and 290 females) from the Basque region of Alava province, Spain. Significant bimanual differences in the a-b ridge count are apparent only for females, and the sexual differences are significant for both hands...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human biology 1995-02, Vol.67 (1), p.121-133
Main Authors: ARRIETA, M.I, MARTINEZ, B., NUÑEZ, M., GIL, A., CRIADO, B., TELEZ, M., LOSTAO, C.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis of Variance
Basques
Biology
Censuses
Continental Population Groups - genetics
Dermatoglyphics
Ethnic Groups
Female
Genetics
Genetics, Population
Hands
Homeostasis
Human genetics
Humans
Linear regression
Male
Palmprints
Phenotypic traits
Population genetics
Population mean
Regression Analysis
Sex Characteristics
Sex chromosomes
Sexes
Skewed distribution
Spain
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Summary:We have analyzed the a-b ridge count and its fluctuating asymmetry in a sample (331 males and 290 females) from the Basque region of Alava province, Spain. Significant bimanual differences in the a-b ridge count are apparent only for females, and the sexual differences are significant for both hands. A comparison of the results in the Alava Basque population with results for other Basque populations showed sexual dimorphism. The results for fluctuating asymmetry do not support the hypothesis that if the regression of fluctuating asymmetry on the right and left hands is quadratic, the fluctuating asymmetry is a result of developmental homeostasis. Our data seem to indicate also that the factors that determine the a-b ridge count are canalized in females and males in the same way.
ISSN:0018-7143
1534-6617