Dermatoglyphic assessment of the genetic relationships of native American populations

• Published in: American Journal of Physical Anthropology
• Main Authors: Hoff, C., Plato, C. C., Garruto, R. M., Dutt, J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1981
• Subjects: Indian; Aymara; eskimo*
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330550406; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fajpa.1330550406; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ajpa.1330550406

Abstract Genetic distance techniques and cluster analysis were used to determine which dermatoglyphic parameters were most useful in assessing genetic relationships between native American populations. The dermatoglyphic parameters used for this analysis were those most completely reported in the papers examined in a literature survey we had carried out previously, and include digital patterns, modal types of the C‐line and D‐line terminations, and palmar patterns in the hypothenar, thenar/I, and interdigital areas. The populations examined were separated by sex and divided into seven major geographical groups: Eskimo; North American Indian; Maya and non‐Maya (Central America); Amazonian; Quechua, and Aymara (South America). Mean frequencies of dermatoglyphic traits were computed for each group and pairwise “genetic” distances calculated using Cavalli‐Sforza and Edward's D‐test. Dendrograms were then generated from these D‐values using Q‐mode cluster analysis. Using the hypothenar, thenar/I and III and IV interdigital areas, the results of this analysis demonstrated a good fit to an expected phylogenetic tree. When digital patterns, patterns in the II interdigital area, and the modal types of the C‐line were included in the analysis, the same phylogenetic relationships were observed. However, inclusion of the modal types of the D‐line with the other parameters tended to introduce some distortion and a greater separation between sexes within the same populations.