Sexual Dimorphism Index Research Articles

FEATURES OF GENDER-RELATED SOMATOTYPES AND A RANGE OF ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICATORS IN FEMALE PARTNER ACROBATICS

Aim. The article aims to study somatic changes and a number of anthropometric indicators in gender-related somatotypes in “base” (in standing or lying position) and “flyer” acrobats. Materials and methods. Studies have been carried out to determine several anthropometric indicators and morphofunctional index values such as standing body length, upper and lower limb length, shoulder and pelvis width, sexual dimorphism index by J. Tanner & W. Marshall, body mass index. The experiment included 44 athletes in the period of puberty and adolescence engaged in female partner acrobatics. Research methods used: analysis of available scientific and methodological literature; mathematical processing of index values and the results obtained. Results. An analysis of the results showed significant differences in all anthropometric and morphofunctional values of the “base” and “flyer” acrobats. It was revealed that among the “base” acrobats there were no athletes with a gynecomorphic somatotype. Among the “base” acrobats, there was a predominance of female athletes with a mesomorphic somatotype – 18 (81.82%), while there were only 4 (18.18%) athletes with andromorphic somatotype. In “flyer” acrobats, there were mostly female athletes with a gynecomorphic somatotype – 19 (86.36%), 3 (13.64%) athletes were characterized by a mesomorphic somatotype, and there were no representatives of the andromorphic somatotype. Conclusion. Specialization and selection of “flyer” and “base” acrobats should be carried out taking into account not only the age difference between these athletes but also such anthropometric indicators as upper and lower limb length, shoulder and pelvis width and such morphofunctional index values as sexual dimorphism index and body mass index.

Sexual Dimorphism in A Cross River Ecotype Local Chicken – Rose Comb (<em>Gallus gallus domesticus</em>)

Sexual dimorphism in the local chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)-Rose Comb- in Cross River was investigated. Sixty (60) male and female Gallus gallus domesticus chickens were evaluated for the effect of sex on body weight (BW), body length (BL), body girth (BG), thigh length(TL), shank length (SL) and keel length (KL) which were measured fortnightly for twelve (12) weeks. Sexual Size Dimorphism Index (SSDI) and Sexual Dimorphism Index (SDI) were used to confirm relative contribution of each trait to total dimorphism. The values obtained for SSDI and SDI respectively were 1.61 and 61% for BW; 1.26 and 26.52% for TL; 1.23 and 23.81% for SL; 1.22 and 21.50% for BL; 1.18 and 18.20% for BG; 1.17 and 17.94% for KL. To identify the best trait for predicting sex, stepwise discriminate analysis was employed and the Wilk’s Lamda values obtained were BW(0.471); TL(0.452); SL(0.401); BL(0.283); BG(0.272) and KL(0.271). Results showed that there were significant (p<0.05) differences in all measured parameters at week 6 with mean BW, BL, BG, SL, KL and TL of 300.01 and 253.24; 22 and 18.62; 5.20 and 3.98; 4.60 and 3.50; 5.50 and 3.90; 13.10 and 11.20 for both male and female birds respectively. These results indicate that sexual dimorphism is exhibited in all morphometric traits in favor of the male with BW as the highest dimorphic trait.

Sample specific sex estimation method using parameters around dominant nutrient foramina in unknown femur bones collection of contemporary Egyptians

AbstractBecause there is no widely accepted sexing method of fragmented femoral diaphyses, we argue that the diaphyseal diameters and circumference around nutrient foramina (NF) have comparable sex discrimination capacity to their mid‐shaft counterparts. Construction of reliable reference sample (n = 61, 29 males and 32 females) using the undocumented Alexandria University Osteological Collection was contingent upon consistent sex estimation of the epiphyses using population and sample specific methods. Statistically significant size differences were found between the males and females diaphyseal measurements around NF. Low intraobserver measurements error and high sexual dimorphism indices were observed in the new measurements at NF level. The logistic regression analysis revealed that combinations of anteroposterior diameter and circumference at both levels were the optimal models for sex classification. Testing in the holdout sample showed complete agreement in the results between both models. The best model at the level of NF achieved consistent total sex allocation of 81.1% with high probability >0.80 of correct estimates in approximately 60% of the reference sample. A great applicability pertinent to sex estimation of a tubular fragment of femur bearing a single NF using the diaphyseal measurements around it because the maximal length is not required to determine the location of the mid‐shaft measurements.

Forensic Evaluation of Various Osteometric Parameters of Human Mandible in both Sexes

Identification of sex could be made on differences in the size and shape of the morphological markers i.e. shapes of chin, size of condyles etc. Morphological traits are more subjective and sex determination depends on experience of the investigator. So, visual methods of sexing mandible are likely to be inaccurate when performed by an inexperienced worker and sometimes produce misleading results. Hence, metric analyses are found to of superior value owing to their objectivity, accuracy, reproducibility and lower incidence of inter and intra observer errors as compared to that of descriptive traits.The focus on present study is to use morpho-metric analytical method to evaluate the ability of selected parameters to determine sex in forensic sample.Aims and Objectives: To study the various osteometric parameters of human mandible and evaluate their utility in sex determinationMaterial and Method: Some measurements of the 200 mandibles were taken using sliding calliper and mandibulometer and statistically analysed.Findings: On statistical analysis, it is found that height of the symphysis menti, bigonial width, shows a higher index of sexual dimorphism. Hence, these can be used for determination of sex. Other parameters such as bicondylar width, mandibular angle are found to be statistically insignificant in this study.Conclusion : When the findings of present study were compared with those of past investigators, marked variations in the various osteometric parameters of mandible was noticed, which differed all over the world as well as in different regions of India. Hence, it is suggested, not to apply the findings of study of one region over the samples of other region, to avoid fallacies.

SEX ESTIMATION FROM TRANSVERSE BREADTH OF TALUS BONE IN EGYPTIAN POPULATION.

Abstract Sex determination is the starting point in forensic anthropology (identification of an individual from skeletal remains) as it reduces the number of possible matches of unknown persons by 50%. The talus bone has an important role in human sex identification due to its durability as it is usually recovered in an intact state and it is readily distinguished from its characteristic morphology during the recovery of human skeletons. The aim of this study was to investigate the sex-discriminating potential of the Transverse Breadth (TB) of the talus in a sample of Egyptian Population. Subjects and methods: This study was done using 320 computed tomography (CT) images of ankle joints (160 males and 160 females) obtained from Radiology Department, Menoufia University Hospital. Measurements were done in mid coronal sections. Sex dimorphism was evaluated using student t- test, demarking points (DPs), index of sexual dimorphism (ISD) and logistic regression analysis. Results:- The Transverse Breadth of right and left talus in males were statistically significantly higher than those in females. ISD confirm sexual dimorphism with higher DPs in males than those of females. Sensitivity was 76.9%, specificity was 75.6 % and accuracy rate was 76.9%. CONCLUSION It can be concluded that the transverse breadth of talus bone of this sample of Egyptian population is an important parameter for sex determination and CT is an accurate and reliable method for sex determination from talus bones. Recommendations Further similar studies estimating the role of talus bones in sex differentiation from different regions of Egypt are required. Application of the equation derived from the present study for sex determination on Egyptian population is recommended.

Age Structure and Body Size Variation in Common Toad (Bufo bufo, Linnaeus 1758) from Three Different Altitudes in Turkey

We describe here for the first time the body size and age of the Common Toad (Bufo bufo) from high (Trabzon, 1090 m and Kastamonu, 925 m above sea level) and low (Yalova, 65 m above sea level) altitudes in Turkey using skeletochronology. The specimens from Trabzon were significantly smaller and younger than the ones from the Kastamonu and Yalova populations. Age at sexual maturity was three years for females while it varied between two to three years in males in all three populations. We found the females to be significantly larger than males in all three populations. The sexual dimorphism indices (SDI) were biased toward the female populations. Even after accounting for the influence of age, the snout-vent length (SVL) differed significantly among the populations. Age and SVL were closely correlated in the male populations for all the three localities (Yalova, Kastamonu, and Trabzon) and for female individuals in the Trabzon population. In this first report, we reveal the demographic structure of B. bufo from the Anatolia region in Turkey and provide comparative data regarding this species for further discussion and determined that age and body size of Common Toad not differentiated among different altitudes.

Evaluation of sexual dimorphism of histochemical activity of phosphatases of the plantar glands of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)

The activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase in the eccrine and sebaceous glands of the skin of the soles of the paws of male and female Norway rats was studied by histochemiсal methods. Using the methods of qualimetric analysis, we presented a digitalized form of the enzyme activity, which made it possible to calculate sexual dimorphism indices, reflecting quantitative differences in the enzymatic activity of the skin glands in males and females of Norway rats. For acid phosphatase activity, the sexual dimorphism index was equal to 0.50 in the eccrine glands and equal to 0.33 in the sebaceous glands. For alkaline phosphatase activity, values of sexual dimorphism indices were equal to –0.25 and 0.33 correspondingly, and for adenosine triphosphatase values of sexual dimorphism indices were equal to –0.33 and 0.50. Digital analogues of the histoenzymatic activity of the skin glands were presented as coordinates in three-dimensional space. Using the methods of analytical geometry, we calculated the values of intersexual distances (1.73 for eccrine glands and 1.73 for sebaceous glands), reflecting the cumulative differences in the activity of three types of phosphatases, which can be considered as an integral indicator of sexual dimorphism. Histochemical activity entropy is significant in the eccrine glands. Male entropy value (0.842 bit) was less than female entropy value (0.915 bit), because total actual activity of the males’ phosphatases was greater (220% of 300%) than total actual activity of the females’ phosphatases (200% of 300%). High entropy level of phosphatase activity was typical for male sebaceous glands (0.998 bit), where the general level of enzymatic activity was significantly reduced (160% of 300%). Because of the highest total actual phosphatase activity of female sebaceous glands (220% of 300%), entropy value was the lowest (0.842 bit). The obtained results show not only sexual dimorphism by histochemical parameters but show different communicational levels of male and female Norway rats, taking into account the important role of the plantar glands as sources of chemical signals determining the character of marking behaviour.

Somatometric and Index Indicators for Assessing the Physical State of Patients with Gastric Cancer

The purpose of the research was to study physical health of patients with gastric cancer, the identification of markerspredictors of gastric cancer.Material and methods. This article presents the results of a survey with 150 patients diagnosed with stomach cancer. The research was conducted on the basis of the department of oncoabdominal surgery of Krasnoyarsk Regional Clinical Oncological Hospital named after A.I. Kryzhanovskiy in the period from 2016 to 2017. Patients with established gastric cancer, awaiting for surgical treatment, were examined using anthropometric methods of research. We evaluated the physical status of patients of different age diagnosed with stomach cancer. We also calculated body mass index and Tanner’s index of sexual dimorphism (1968), according to the last we determined the type of gender dimorphism. Distribution of healthy men and women in the population of the Krasnoyarsk Territory was taken for comparison.Results. We have obtained the following markers: overweight and obesity, sex inversion in men of the II period of adulthood and the elderly to gynecomorphy, and in women of the II period of adulthood – to mesomorphy.Conclusions. These markers are used for assessment of the physical status of patients with stomach cancer. They, together with the already known risk factors of gastric cancer development, will help to identify groups with an increased risk for gastric cancer development at the stage of medical examination of the population.

Morphometric Analysis of Sexual Dimorphism in Foramen Magnum

Introduction: The establishment of human sex identity is of paramount importance in the field of forensicmedicine especially when it comes to medico legal cases of disputed sex, completely decomposed or charredbodies, and decapitated cadaveric remains, exhumation of skeletonized remains where skull is recoveredand referred to a forensic expert for opinion by the police, etc.Methodology: Study sample includes 77 dry human skull bones obtained from department of forensicmedicine, department of anatomy and student volunteers of T.O.M.C.H & R.C. T. The sex of the skullbone is estimated by using morphological characteristics. The anterio-posterior diameter and the transversediameter of the foramen magnum is measured using a Vernier caliper. The results are tabulated in MicrosoftExcel 2013 document and the areas of foramen magnum were calculated using the formulae derived byRoutal and Teixeira. Statistical analysis for correlation between the measurements and the sex of the skullwas performed using SPSS software.Results: Majority of skulls belonged to the female sex with maximum distribution in 25 to 35 age groupfollowed by 18 to 25 age group. The length, breadth, and the area of foramen magnum are found to be largerin males than females. However, statistically significant sex differences were observed only for the breadthand areas of the foramen magnum.Discussion: Our findings with regard to the sexing potential of foramen magnum dimensions found astatistically significant difference for breadth of the foramen magnum but the sexual dimorphism index andlogistic regression for the same does not indicate a significant difference. The present research also reportsa statistically significant sex differences in the area of foramen magnum as derived by formula given byTeixeira and Radinsky which is similar to that reported in earlier studies.Conclusion: Parameters analyzed for sexual dimorphism of foramen magnum the area of the foramenmagnum proves to be a better predictor of sex compared to other features but foramen magnum alone shouldnot be considered for sexual differentiation unless the skull is mutilated.

Sexual Dimorphism in Red-Eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) from the Wild Animal Triage Center of the Tiete Ecological Park, São Paulo, Brazil

Background: Trachemys scripta elegans is an aquatic turtle native to North America and distributed geographically from the eastern United States to northeastern Mexico. In Brazil, it is an exotic and invasive species and the most illegally traded pet animal. When these turtles grow and they cease to be attractive as pets, they are released clandestinely in lakes, ponds, rivers, and other bodies of water, where they threaten biodiversity and native populations. The present study aimed to characterize specimens of T. s. elegans from the Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres do Parque Ecológico do Tiete by analyzing body biometrics, sexual dimorphism, and structure of specimens for sex ratio and size classes.Materials, Methods & Results: Trachemys scripta elegans turtles (39 females and 30 males) were anesthetized, euthanized and frozen. After being thawed, the turtles were sexed according to measurements on secondary sex characters such as claw length (CWL) of the third finger of the right forearm and length of the tail from the tip to the beginning of the cloacal opening (postcloacal tail length, PTL); subsequently, sex was confirmed through dissection. Subsequently, body mass (BM, g) and maximum carapace length (MCL, cm), maximum carapace width (MCW, cm), maximum plastron length (MPL, cm), maximum plastron width (MPW) and shell height (HGT, cm, measured laterally until obtaining the greatest value) were evaluated and the sexual dimorphism index (SDI) was also calculated. All analyses were performed using SAS v. 9.4 software. The results indicate a sex ratio of 1.3 females per male. The identification of males by secondary sex characteristics was performed using only claw length (CWL), which was related to sex and not to maximum carapace length (MCL). The most discriminatory variables were CWL in males and body mass (BM) in females. With the exception of CWL, the sexual dimorphism index (SDI) values all favored females and varied from 1.21 to 2.49, with the greatest value for BM and the lowest value for postcloacal tail length (PTL). Males exhibited a unimodal tendency at a classification interval of 15.0 cm MCL, and females exhibited a bimodal tendency at 21.0- and 22.0 cm MCL. Sexual maturity was identified at 12.0 cm MCL in males and at 12.5 cm MCL in females. The rate of CWL growth in males was higher at the beginning of sexual maturity and subsequently decreased, whereas in females, the rate of CWL escalated after 19.0 cm MCL. In both sexes, principal component 1 (PC1) was composed of the variables related to size and BM, and principal component 2 (PC2) and principal component 3 (PC3) were composed of variables related to secondary sex characteristics (CWL and PTL).Discussion: In members of the genus Trachemys, several secondary sex characteristics can be used to differentiate between the sexes, however, in the present study, recognition of males was performed only by claw length, as it was confirmed by the discriminate analysis and the principal components analysis (PCA) which showed that CWL was the variable that was most discriminatory in males (approximately 76.0%), followed by BM (approximately 50%) in females. The results reinforcing the claim that the degree of development of secondary sex characteristics varies between species as well as between distinct populations of the same species and establish that even under unnatural habitat, sexual dimorphism of size in favor of females is maintained for variables related to mass and size.

Cross-sex genetic correlation does not extend to sexual size dimorphism in spiders.

Males and females are often subjected to different selection pressures for homologous traits, resulting in sex-specific optima. Because organismal attributes usually share their genetic architectures, sex-specific selection may lead to intralocus sexual conflict. Evolution of sexual dimorphism may resolve this conflict, depending on the degree of cross-sex genetic correlation (r MF) and the strength of sex-specific selection. In theory, high r MF implies that sexes largely share the genetic base for a given trait and are consequently sexually monomorphic, while low r MF indicates a sex-specific genetic base and sexual dimorphism. Here, we broadly test this hypothesis on three spider species with varying degrees of female-biased sexual size dimorphism, Larinioides sclopetarius (sexual dimorphism index, SDI = 0.85), Nuctenea umbratica (SDI = 0.60), and Zygiella x-notata (SDI = 0.46). We assess r MF via same-sex and opposite-sex heritability estimates. We find moderate body mass heritability but no obvious patterns in sex-specific heritability. Against the prediction, the degree of sexual size dimorphism is unrelated to the relative strength of same-sex versus opposite-sex heritability. Our results do not support the hypothesis that sexual size dimorphism is negatively associated with r MF. We conclude that sex-specific genetic architecture may not be necessary for the evolution of a sexually dimorphic trait.

Sexual Dimorphism in Body Size and Shape of Beal's Eyed Turtle (Sacalia bealei)

Abstract We studied the sexual dimorphism in body size and shape of Beal's eyed turtle, Sacalia bealei, by measuring 15 morphological characteristics of 68 adult individuals (40 females, 28 males) collected from Fujian Province, China. Females were slightly larger than males in carapace length with a sexual dimorphism index of 0.09. This translated into greater absolute values of females for all the traits we measured except for tail length, preanal tail length, and analia to supracaudal junction length. Comparisons between the sexes of size-corrected morphological traits indicated that females exhibited a longer plastron and higher carapace relative to carapace length, thereby providing a larger internal volume. Females also exhibited relatively wider heads. In males, the plastron was smaller and more indented than in females and the openings between the plastron and the carapace were also more developed. Overall, females were larger in size and displayed a more voluminous shell than did males while male...

Facial Anthropometric Norms among Kosovo - Albanian Adults.

BackgroundThe development of an anthropometric craniofacial database is a necessary multidisciplinary proposal.AimThe aim of this study was to establish facial anthropometric norms and to investigate into sexual dimorphism in facial variables among Kosovo Albanian adults.Materials and MethodsThe sample included 204 students of Dental School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina. Using direct anthropometry, a series of 8 standard facial measurements was taken on each subject with digital caliper with an accuracy of 0.01 mm (Boss, Hamburg-Germany). The normative data and percentile rankings were calculated. Gender differences in facial variables were analyzed using t- test for independent samples (p<0.05). The index of sexual dimorphism (ISD) and percentage of sexual dimorphism were calculated for each facial measurement.Results: Normative data for all facial anthropometric measurements in males were higher than in females. Male average norms compared with the female average norms differed significantly from each other (p>0.05).The highest index of sexual dimorphism (ISD) was found for the lower facial height 1.120, for which the highest percentage of sexual dimorphism, 12.01%., was also found. The lowest ISD was found for intercanthal width, 1.022, accompanied with the lowest percentage of sexual dimorphism, 2.23%.ConclusionThe obtained results have established the facial anthropometric norms among Kosovo Albanian adults. Sexual dimorphism has been confirmed for each facial measurement.

Biometric sex estimation using the scapula and clavicle in a modern Greek population.

Human skeletal remains exhibit sexual dimorphism, which is apparent in adult living individuals as well. Researchers from forensic and osteoarchaeological fields have a growing interest in establishing metric standards for sexing by use of discriminant function analysis. The present study focuses on providing sex estimation metric standards using measurements from the scapula and clavicle in a Modern Greek sample (Athens Collection) consisting of 107 male and 90 female skeletons. A total of seven measurements were taken: maximum scapular height and breadth, glenoid cavity height and breadth, maximum clavicular length, anterior and superior clavicular diameter. The calculation of Sexual Dimorphism Index showed a significant degree of sexual dimorphism on both bones ranging from 10% to 18%. Statistical analysis provided the discriminant functions with an accuracy of correct sex estimation between 84.9% and 91.4%, and showed that the highest accuracy rate was obtained from the left scapula measurements; proving that this bone can be a useful tool in providing an accurate sex estimation in skeletal remains of Modern Greek origin.

Intraspecific variation in body size and sexual size dimorphism, and a test of Rensch's rule in bats

AbstractThe magnitude and direction of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) may vary considerably within and among taxa, and the primary causes of such variation have not been thoroughly elucidated. For example, the effect of abiotic factors is frequently attributed to explain intra‐ and interspecific variation in SSD. Rensch's rule, which states that males vary more in size than females when body size increases, has rarely been tested in bats. Therefore, whether bats follow Rensch's rule remains unclear, particularly when females are larger than males. We investigated whether four bat species presented SSD, as well as whether their body sizes varied within each sex across localities, testing the hypothesis that intraspecific SSD varies substantially depending of sampling localities. We finally examined whether bats followed Rensch's rule by simultaneously using intraspecific and interspecific approaches. Although SSD was not observed for most bat species within each locality, the females of three of the four captured species exhibited differences in body size between particular localities. Usually the females varied more in size than did males across localities, mostly exhibiting a female‐biased SSD. Significant differences in SSD were observed (i.e. mean values of the sexual dimorphism index), even though Rensch's rule was not followed.

Odontometric sex estimation from clinically extracted molar teeth in a North Indian population sample.

Background:Different dental features have contributed significantly toward sex determination in the forensic anthropological contexts. Population-specific standards (discriminant functions or regression formulae) have been suggested for various population groups to identify the sex of an unknown individual from dental dimensions and other odontometric features. The main purpose of the present investigation was to examine the degree of sexual dimorphism exhibited by the human teeth of North Indians and identify importance as a forensic tool in sex determination.Materials and Methods:The linear and diagonal dimensions were recorded at both crown and cementoenamel junction levels of 58 upper and 72 lower molars of 130 Northwest Indian subjects (73 males and 57 females). The measurements were subjected to appropriate statistical analyses to estimate the sex estimation accuracy from lower and upper molars separately.Results:Univariate analyses revealed that molar teeth had greater dimensions in males than the females and the mesiodistal cervical diameter (MDCV) was found to be the most suitable variable for sex determination of the molars. The classification results were in agreement with the previously conducted studies. The index of sexual dimorphism (ISD) was calculated to be higher in lower molars than the upper molars, and the highest sex differences were observed for MDCV based on the ISD. The overall sex estimation accuracy obtained from multivariate discriminant function analysis and regression analysis of pooled data was 70.0% (74% males, 64.9% females) and 66.9% (78.1% males, 52.6% females), respectively.Conclusions:Odontometrics can play a significant role in establishing the biological identity of an unknown individual even from a single tooth in the absence of other sophisticated molecular or biochemical techniques used for this purpose.

Variation in fur farm and wild populations of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes (Carnivora: Canidae) — Part I: Morphometry

This paper demonstrates the influence of artificial selection on morphometric traits in the red fox [Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758)]. Measurements and two proportion coefficients were analysed in 132 wild and 199 farm red foxes. The two groups differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) on all but one of the measurements. Eight out of 11 measurements were significantly greater in the farm fox population, while only tail length, ear height, and length of the right hind limb were greater in the population of wild foxes. The opposite trend was observed when analysing variation in the measurements — the farm foxes were characterized by a greater variability only in the case of body weight, body length, and breadth of chest. When analysing the sexual dimorphism index in different sex and population groups, in almost all analysed traits, the greatest differences occurred between farm males and wild females. All of the traits examined in this study are important for survival of wild foxes. However, because importance of some traits was reduced during domestication and selective breeding (farm foxes do not have to fight for survival), the genetic relationship between them may have weakened. Other possible causes of morphological differences between the studied groups of red foxes are discussed as well.

Making use of J. Tanner’s scale of sexual dimorphism for assessment of the physical state of older women

An assessment of the physical status of older women was performed based on anthropometry and bioelecytrical impedance analysis. The somatotype was determined with the use of J. Tanner’s index of sexual dimorphism (1951). In the surveyed sample, 46.15% women had a gynecomorphic body type manifested in the structural feminization of the skeletal system; masculinization of the skeletal system (andromorphism) was found in 4.74% of cases; and mild dysplasia towards the opposite sex was observed in 49.11% of older women, which corresponded to the mesomorphic somatotype. It was found that women with a gynecomorphic body type were significantly shorter than those with mesomorphic or andromorphic types; they had lower mass and transverse dimensions of the body. The largest absolute content of the fat mass and lean mass components were found in women with andromorphic body type, while the representatives of the sample with a gynecomorphic body type demonstrated the lowest values of these indicators of body composition. The results of anthropometric and bioimpedance measurements with allowance for the body type of elderly women involving J. Tanner’s index of sexual dimorphism reflect their adaptive capabilities and can serve as markers (predictors) of nonspecific somatic diseases.

Sexual dimorphism in two mediaeval Muslim populations from Spain

Sexual dimorphism in humans is mainly observed as a difference in the anatomy of genitals and breasts. There are also some differences in the stature and metric or morphological traits of the skeleton. Degree of sexual dimorphism varies among populations and depends on their genetic composition and various cultural and environmental factors. In this study, two Mediaeval Muslim populations from Granada, Spain, were compared, testing whether differences in living environment (urban vs. rural) would result in distinct degrees of sexual dimorphism of long bones. We studied skeletal material from urban (Sahl ben Mālik, Granada, Spain) and rural (La Torrecilla, Arenas del Rey, Granada, Spain) cemeteries. Only adult individuals (66 from Sahl ben Mālik and 72 from La Torrecilla) were selected for the study. Maximum length, minimum circumference of the shaft and maximum widths of the proximal and distal epiphyses were measured in each bone. The index of sexual dimorphism (ISD) was calculated for each variable and each population. The degree of sexual dimorphism was greater in La Torrecilla. These results indicate that Muslim women in large urban centres may have played a more active role in social and working life in comparison to their rural counterparts and may have enjoyed superior living conditions, which contributed to enhancing the body development of women and reducing sexual dimorphism. We conclude that living in an urban or a rural environment may influence the degree of sexual dimorphism.

Past inhabitants of Garbary – a biocultural perspective

The present work analyses the bone material unearthed at the graveyard of St Peter the Little’s Church in Garbary. The study is based on research from the years 1978 and 2012. A total of 111 skeletons were analysed, all of them of medium condition, dating back to the modern period. The material’s diversity level was verified by biological distance assessment. Ward’s method was used for selected measurement features of the neurocranium and the facial skeleton. Sex and age were established simultaneously by means of methods commonly applied in anthropology. The assessment was based on the morphology of the skull and pelvic bones as well as the deciduous and permanent teeth eruption sequence. Cranial measurements and indices were subjected to analysis. Osteometric data provided the basis for an analysis of long bone symmetry, limb length and proportions and bone massiveness indices. A multi-planar reconstruction of individuals’ stature was performed by means of regression formulas developed by various authors. Sexual dimorphism index served indirectly as a measurement of the living conditions of individuals in the population, whereas an analysis of muscular and skeletal stress markers on bones allowed us to evaluate build types. Calculated life expectancy table parameters were used to recreate e.g. individuals’ lifespans and life expectancy structure (by age at death) characteristic of historical populations of Krakow.