Gender Variation Studies in Dermatoglyphic Patterns (Level 2 Details) of the Ikwerre Ethnic Group in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background to the Study: Dermatoglyphics have had several definitions but each boils down to a simple sentence ‘act, process or science of studying ridge patterns on the skin of the palm, fingers, foot and toes of primates. So much have been done on this area from the inception of the study till date. One of it is the ethnohistoric facts that can be obtained from dermatoglyphics and most recently its usefulness in tracing ancestry. There are lots of works on dermatoglyphics at level 1 details only last year we had a study on level 2 details which goes as far as revealing the uniqueness of such individuals or group of people under study.  Aims: This study was aimed at establishing whether there is a variation in gender at level 2 details in the dermatoglyphic patterns of the Ikwerre people of Rivers State, Nigeria. Study Design:  A Non-experimental analytical design. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, University of Port Harcourt between March 2016 and August 2016. Methodology: 100 subjects were used for the study which comprised 58 males and 42 females. The data was captured using the standard electronic scanner device and classified into the 10 different patterns at level 2 details. The various patterns types: bifurcation, trifurcation, ridge ending, bridge, lake, double bifurcation, island, dot, ridge crossing and opposed bifurcation were counted with the aid of a laptop zooming tool for a clearer view. Data analysis was done using z-test of proportionality. Results: Males had the following distributions: Ridge ending 33.8%, Opposed bifurcation 2.6%, Bridge 3.1%, Lake (enclosure) 7.2% Bifurcation 43.9%, Double bifurcation 1.2%, Dot 2.5%, Trifurcation 2.2%, Island 1.4% Ridge crossing 2.1% while the females had the following: Ridge ending 10.6%, Opposed bifurcation 2.9%, Bridge 2.4%, Lake (enclosure) 9.9%, Bifurcation 51.8%, Double bifurcation 2.2%, Dot 5.9%, Trifurcation 8.2%, Island 2.9%, Ridge crossing 3.2%. Conclusion: The results have revealed the distribution/ prevalence of the level 2 details  of the dermatoglyphic patterns seen in the Ikwerre people and have also shown that there was sexual dimorphism in the distribution of these patterns. On comparison, there was a statistical significant difference (p=.05) between the distribution of patterns in the males and females.