Analyses of Digito – Palmar Dermatoglyphics in Ubang Clan of Cross River State, Nigeria
CHAPTERS ONE
Aims and Objectives of the Study
The aim of this research work is to determine the true dermatoglyphics patterns of the Ubang clan and find out any association in dermatoglyphics patterns amongst the gender that speak the different languages in the clan.
Objective of Study
The research objectives includes;
- Investigate the qualitative dermatoglyphics features (Arch, Loop and whorl patterns) in both hands and gender in Ubang
- Investigate the qualitative dermatoglyphics features (Arch, Loop and whorl patterns) in both hands and gender in Ubang
- Investigate the quantitative dermatoglyphics features (ATD Angles, AB ridge count and C-line terminations) in Ubang clan in both hands and gender
- Investigate the C-line terminations in Ntamante in both hands and gender
- Investigate language variation amongst the gender in Ubang
- Investigate the Dankmeijer, Furuhata’s and Pattern intensity indices in Ubang clan in both hands amongst the gender
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Brief History of Dermatoglyphics
The term dermatoglyphics was coined by Cummins et al. (1926) and was derived from Greek word ‘derma’ means skin ‘glyphics’ means carvings (Penrose, 1963). Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of epidermal ridges and their configuration on the palmer surface of the hand and fingers, and the plantar surface of the foot and toes (Adebisi, 2008, 2009).
The study of dermatoglyphics is important in that it aid in investigating the implications, applications and the utility of this valuable knowledge. Many of the investigators have concentrate their energies in comparing the frequencies of various patterns among different communities and population to establish their relative ethnic position in the fabric of the society. All the physical features of the human body including the dermatoglyphics are inherited as stated by the Mendels first and second laws of inheritance.
Population studies have continued to build the necessary descriptive snd comparative bases for better understanding of the full range of human variations. Nearly all region of the world have been well represented in recent work. India and Europe leading with the most published work, followed by Asian sub-sharan africans, south American Indians, middle Eastern populations, pacific Islands and Australians. (Jantz et al., 1980; leguebe et al., 1983; Pons, 1982; Jant et al., 1983; Arricta, 1987).
Galton (1889), a British anthropologist, began his observations of fingerprints as a means of identification. His attention had first been drawn to the ridges in 1888 when he was studying the problem of person’s identification. His primary interest in fingerprints was an aid in determining heredity and racial background. Fingerprint do not change during the course of an individual’s life time and that no two fingerprint are exactly the same.
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHOD
Introduction
This present study is to establish the true dermatoglyphic pattern of the Ubang clan which has not been studied before, and relate language and gender to digito-palmar dermatoglyphics in Ubang Clan of Obudu LGA of Cross River State.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS
Introduction
The chapter contains results obtained where research instruments of Questionnaires and print patterns obtained from subjects using the ink procedure were analyzed from members of Ubang Clan who were of the selected clusters (villages), and those of Ntamante in Boki LGA.
The fingers were numbered from left thumb through all the digits to the right thumb in the anatomical position. The thumb and the little fingers are usually designated five and one respectively.
The Sample size is 800 for males and females in Ubang Clan and 200 for the control (Ntamante).20 prints were discarded because of poor visibility for Analyses.
The Sample size for the males was 400 while that of females is 380. The sample size from Ntamante for comparison was 200 (81 males, 119 females).
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION
Qualitative Dermatoglyphic Features (Arches, Loops and Whorl Patterns in Ubang Clan)
Tables 4.1-4.8 show the dermatoglyphic features of the qualitative dermatoglyphic patterns. The results show that the ulnar loop was the highest in the mean frequencies in both males and females (14.3% and 15.3% respectively. The radial loop was the least distributed in females (0.16) and males (0.28).
Arches
The Arches in this study in both males and females and in both hands in Ubang clan and Ntamante showed significant differences (P<0.05). Table 4.1 is the male distribution table in Ubang clan. The table shows the mean standard diviation for arches in Ubang clan to be 4.5±1.9 for males. The T-test was shown to be highly significant (P<0.5), the median in the percentile was 4.5, these values when compared with what was obtained from the Ntamante males 3.8±2.3 was relatively higher. The T-test for the Ntamante males was also significant (P<0.05). The mean standard deviation for female Arch pattern in Ubang clan is 16.4±7.0, while that for Ntamante is 5.6±4.7. The T-test was highly significant (P<0.05) in both Ubang clan and Ntamante.
CHAPTER SIX
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
The asymmetry in digital dermatoglyphics pattern, in the present study is in conformity with patterns expected in normal Nigerian and African population. The most exceptional in this present study is the arches and radial loops distribution. Gender disparity exists in the qualitative variables of arches, loops and whorls patterns in Ubang clan of Obudu Local government Area, Cross River State. The AB ridge count showed gender and sexual dimorphism(P<0.05)
Dermatoglyphics are of interest in anthropology, criminology, and medicine, including dysmorphology (the study of congenital malformations) and the study of chromosome abnormalities such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) (Anitha et al.,2014). The study of fingerprints as a method of identification is also known as Dactylography or Dactyloscopy (Gutiérrez-Redomero et al., 2014), and currently it is also known as the Henry-Galton system of identification. Dactylography is the process of taking the impressions of papillary ridges of the fingertips for the purpose of identification of a person.
Recommendations
More research work in line with the present study should be at the following:
- A National fingerprints Institute should be established and domicile in a university for research and
- Collaborative research should be encouraged among various departments and faculties to enhance learning and
- Research should be encouraged in dermatoglyphics studies of other ethnic groups especially the ones in danger of extinction
- Research should be encouraged in dermatoglyphics studies and sport medicine
- Research should be encouraged in dermatoglyphics and Human
CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE
This research work Digito-Palmar Dermatoglyphic, language and gender is totally an Anthropological research which is mainly of Biological/physical/medical Anthropology and spice Linguistics Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology. The contribution to knowledge of this reproach work includes
- The whorl digital dermatoglyphic pattern in Ubang clan is known in both males and females in both hands (Table 4.1 and3).
- The whorl digital dermatoglyphics pattern in Ntamante (control) is known in both male and females and on both hands (Table 4.2 and 4.4)
- The Ulnar loop digital pattern in Ubang clan is known in both males and females and both hands (Table 4.1 and3).
- The ulnar loop digital pattern in Ntamante is known in both males and females and both hands
- The radial loop digital pattern in Ubang clan is known in both males and females and both hands (Table 4.1 and3).
REFERENCES
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