The Qualitative Dermatoglyphics PATTERNS in Both Hands for Males and Females in Ubang Clan Cross River State Nigeria

Abstract

Dermatoglyphics patterns otherwise known as toe or fingerprints are defined as the scientific study of fingerprints or toe prints. This started in 1892 when one of the most original biologists of his time, Sir Francis Galton, a cousin of Charles Darwin published his now classic work on fingerprints. The Ubang community has a total population of about four thousand, six hundred (4600) people (2006 Census figures). They are four autonomous communities vizOkweriseng, New Jerusalem, Ofambe and Okiron. Their dominant religion is traditional religion and Christianity. They are mostly peasant farmers, located at the foot of the Obudu hills in Obudu LGA of Cross River State, Nigeria.This is an amazing Anthropological community where the Men speak Ofre and the women speak Arasere. The researchers were looking out for exceptional dermatoglyphics feature very unique to this community probably because of the unique language variation observed in the community. The researchers also aimed at establishing the qualitative dermatoglyphic features for the community. The ink procedure established by Cummins was adopted in collecting the prints on the palms and fingers of the selected sample size. A total of 800 persons were used for the research (400 males, 380 females and 20 samples were discarded). Inclusion and Exclusion criteria were used to select samples. The simple random sampling method was used in selecting the clusters and the subjects. Data were analyzed using SPSS for windows version 21 (IBM Corporation WY, USA) and Statistical Analysis System, SAS JMP10, user guide statistics, version 10 edition, SAS Institute Inc. Cary, North Carolina, USA. Descriptive statistics was generated for continuous and categorical variables; comparative analysis was done using analysis of variance. The results show a higher distribution of the Ulnar Loop in both Males and Females, followed by the Arches, then the whorls, finally the radial loops. This pattern of distribution follows the pattern of results obtained in various ethnic groups in Nigeria, Africa, Asia, Europe and America where the Men and Women speak the same Language (Oladipo et al., 2009). observed the relationship of Ovarian and Breast Cancers with high whorl percentage frequencies distribution in a population. Also there have established observations of the relationship of high Ulnar Loop percentage distribution with ABO blood group and Rhesus Positive distribution in a population. The research shows a higher percentage frequency distribution of the Arches and the arches have been linked with Myocardiac infarction (Rekha & Senthil, 2012). There is need for Myocardiac infarction screening in the Community as well as other metabolic disorders investigations.