DIGITAL AND PALMER DERMATOGLYPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IJAW ETHNIC GROUP

Abstract

Introduction: Dermatoglyphics refers to the study of naturally occurring ridge on the planter surface of hand and foot of primates and other animals. Dermatoglyphics is a polygenic trait and is not duplicated among species even among monozygotic twins.The Ijaw’s are located predominately in the Niger Delta with fishing as their main stay of economy.Aim: To determine the frequency distribution and gender differences of dermatoglyphic patterns of the Ijaw ethnic group in Nigeria.Methodology: A total of 500 subjects were randomly selected to establish their digital and palmer dermatoglyphics by counting and classifying their ridge patterns based on standard technique.Results: The highest dermatoglyphic pattern frequency was radial loop (RL) 2.7±1.22, with least occurrence of ulnar loop pattern (UL) 1.37±0.60. There were no significant total finger ridge count (TFRC) and pattern intensity indices (PII) between sex P>0.05. Female subject had a significantly higher mean ATD angle and a-b ridge count than their male counterpart P <0.05.Discussion: There was a prevalence and elevated total frequency of radial loop and a diminution of whorl digital dermatoglyphic patterns; this finding is unique for this study population since most African studies among Nigeria ethnic group has ulnar loop as a predominate digital pattern. Also, sexual dimorphism was shown to exists in total finger ridge count (TFRC) and pattern intensity indices (PII) among the sampled subjects, however female subjects were reported to have higher mean ATD angle and a-b ridge count when compared to their male counterpart, this was statistically significant at P<0.05.Conclusion: This study has reported pattern frequency and gender asymmetry of digital and palmer dermatoglyphics traits of the Ijaw ethnic group.