Digital and palmar dermatoglyphics of the Ijaw of Southern Nigeria

Dermatoglyphics are polygenic markers useful in studying population dynamics. The digital and palmar ridge pattern characteristics of 390 subjects of Ijaw ethnicity were evaluated using standard methods. The most prevalent digital ridge pattern type was ulnar loops followed by whorls, arches and the least prevalent was radial loops. Gender dimorphism was not observed with digital ridge pattern types. However, females showed significantly greater atd angle than males (p < 0.05) while males had a greater Pattern Intensity Index. No significant gender disparity was seen in total finger ridge count and a-b ridge count. We compared our findings to those of other populations previously studied,