Morphological variation and heritability in three Melanesian populations: a multivariate approach

Nonhuman primate hybridization and the taxonomic status of Neanderthals

The present study examines the taxonomic status of Middle Paleolithic Neanderthals by comparing their observed minimum genetic divergence from Upper Paleolithic modern humans in Europe with that observed between macaque species from Sulawesi that are known to hybridize and fully intergrade in the wild. The genetic divergence, and differentiation between Neanderthals and Upper Paleolithic modern humans, as indicated by pairwise minimum genetic distances and F(ST) values calculated from the estimated minimum genetic relationship (R) matrix derived from craniometric data, are significantly greater than those observed both between hybridizing and noninterbreeding Sulawesi macaque species, suggesting that mate recognition and the possibility of gene flow between Neanderthals and Upper Paleolithic modern humans might have been greatly reduced. These results support a species-level taxonomic distinction for the Neanderthals as suggested by proponents of the replacement model. Furthermore, assumptions regarding the monophyletic origin of modern humans from outside Europe are likely valid.

Dermatoglyphic affinities among the Telugu populations with contrasting ethnohistorical backgrounds

Using 22 finger dermatoglyphic variables (radial and ulnar ridge counts on each of the 10 fingers, total number of whorls and total number of loops per individual), affinities among the five endogamous populations of Andhra Pradesh with contrasting ethnohistorical backgrounds were examined. The samples constitute rolled fingerprints of 1,334 individuals of all ages, 736 males and 598 females, and were drawn from the three southern districts of Andhra Pradesh. Univariate analysis of variance, cluster analysis of Mahalanobis' D² -values, and stepwise discriminant analysis were employed to study the extent of population heterogeneity and nature of relationships among them. The observed dermatoglyphic affinities conform to the known ethnohistorical and geographical backgrounds. The smallest set of 9 most discriminating variables gives the best configuration expected under ethnohistorical backgrounds. Addition of more variables, although further augmenting the dispersion among the group centroids, distrots the picture of known ethnohistorical relatiohships. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Associations between anthropometric variables and reproductive performance in a Papua New Guinea highland population

Associations between anthropometric variation and reproductive performance have important ecological and evolutionary implications. Bivariate associations between measures of reproductive performance (live births and offspring still living at the time of interview) and 24 anthropometric variables were examined in 150 females, aged 21-44 years, from the Eastern Highlands district of Papua New Guinea. Where significant linear or curvilinear associations with age existed, the reproductive and anthropometric variables were age-corrected. Linear, quadratic and cubic regressions were computed for each bivariate regression of age-corrected reproductive variable on age-corrected anthropometric trait. Positive linear regressions were found in the cases of body weight, triceps skinfold and head breadth. Positive cubic regressions were found in the cases of upper arm circumference, calf circumference, bicondylar femur and wrist breadth. It is suggested that these associations may reflect important ecological factors which influence both anthropometric and reproductive variation. U-shaped associations were found in the cases of wrist breadth and bicondylar femur. Inverted U-shaped associations were found for stature, sitting height, bizygomatic diameter and morphological face height. These curvilinear associations may be interpreted in terms of natural selection, and suggest that stature and sitting height may be undergoing stabilizing selection in this population.

Population structure and anthropometric variation in rural western Ireland: migration and biological differentiation

Models of population structure can be investigated using data on anthropometric variation among local populations. Anthropometric data collected by Dupertuis and Dawson during the 1930s were analysed from 347 males and 261 females in 12 towns in three counties of western Ireland. We hypothesized that recent migration would decrease the degree of among-group variation. To test this hypothesis, two additional samples were created by excluding known inter-county migrants from both male and female samples. Based on ethnographic data, a fifth sample was created using unmarried females only, in order to control partially for local migration upon marriage. Univariate and multivariate measures of relative differentiation were developed to compare different levels of migration and differences among the sexes. We found that the degree of among-group variation decreased as the amount of migration increased, in accordance with spatial models of population structure. Using non-parametric correlations of geographic and anthropometric distance, the observed patterns of differentiation were closely related to geography, suggesting a spatial model of gene flow to be appropriate in interpreting among-group variation. The female samples showed greater differentiation and higher correlations with geography than the males. It seems that this results from the sensitivity of males to developmental and local environmental influences, causing an increase in the relative amount of within-group variation.