Abstract
Objective We assessed the genetic rules for the dermatoglyphics of human fingertips. We also evaluated the correlation between spouse selection with the number of whorls on fingertips.MethodsData were collected for the number of whorls from 118 families (couples and their children). Distribution of whorls was analyzed further to investigate the relationship between heredity and spouse selection.ResultsThrough multiple regression analysis, we found that the number of whorls on fingertips was affected considerably by genetic factors. In a married couple with a moderate number of whorls, the probability of their children having a high number of whorls was 26.5 %, and the probability of their children having a low number of whorls was 23.5. These values were close to the theoretical value (25 %). A significant correlation between whorl count between spouses was observed.ConclusionThese data suggest that whorls are inherited from a single gene or a group of closely linked genes. Our findings provide an initial insight on the potential contribution of biologic characteristics on spouse selection.
Highlights
A “fingerprint” is an impression left by the friction ridges of a human finger
If 1/4 of their children had a high number of whorls (8–10) and 1/4 of them had a low number of whorls (0–2), this finding suggested that whorls were inherited from a single gene or a group of closely linked genes (Fig. 1)
For a married couple with a moderate number of whorls, the probability of their children having a high number of whorls (8–10) should be 25 %; the probability of their children having a low number of whorls (0–2) should be 25 %
Summary
A “fingerprint” is an impression left by the friction ridges of a human finger. “Dermatoglyphs” are skin patterns (in particular patterns of the specialized skin of the inferior surfaces of the hands and feet). “Dermatoglyphics” is the scientific study of fingerprints (Morgan 1979). A fingertip dermatoglyph is formed in the embryonic phase, and is a unique characteristic in humans and non-human primates (Gutiérrez et al 2007; Wijerathne et al 2013). There are three basic fingerprint patterns: “loop”, “whorl” and “arch”, which constitute 60–65, 30–35 and 5 % of all fingerprints, respectively (Morgan 1979; Wijerathne et al 2013). Various fingerprints tend to have a regular shape, such as round (whorl). The factors affecting the development of fingerprints towards a regular shape (e.g., size, thickness of subcutaneous fat, degree of stoutness, growth rate of bone) eventually result in the diversity of fingerprints. It is thought that the dermatoglyphic pattern of a human fingertip (whorl, loop or arch) is controlled mainly by genetic factors
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