Sexual dimorphism in cranial dimensions among three ethnic groups of North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The study of sexual dimorphism is important clinically, in forensic anthropology and craniometry. Therefore this study was design to identify the sexual dimorphisms in cranial dimensions among three ethnic groups of North-Eastern Nigeria and to compare this study with other similar studies. Cranial length, width, height and circumference in Fulani, Tangale and Tera ethnic groups were linearly measured in a total of 300 (150 males and 150 females) 18-40 years old subjects. The result showed that all cranial dimensions among the three ethnic groups are higher in males than in females, except cranial width which is higher in Fulani (138.7±10.4mm) than in their male counterparts (136.8±10.6mm). The most prominent difference in cranial dimensions between the males and females among the three ethnic groups is in cranial length where males values are significantly higher than females values (p<0.005). Interestingly, the values of cranial width were found to fluctuate between males and females. Therefore, the findings from this study revealed that sexual dimorphism exists between Fulanis, Tangales and Teras of Gombe and based on comparison with other studies we postulate that the effect of gender on cranial width is not consistent. Furthermore, the study confirms the effect of ethnic and geographic difference on cranial dimensions.