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.