Digital dermatoglyphics in some tribal populations of Andhra Pradesh, India

An analysis of digital pattern types, ridge counts and pattern intensity index was made on samples from six tribal populations viz. Koya, Kolam, Rajgond, Chenchu, Pardhan and sugali. Bimanual, sexwise and inter-tribal comparisons were made for all the six tribes. Males in Koya, Kolam and Sugali and females in Sugali showed significant bimanual difference (chi 2 values 10.44, 10.09, 9.74 and 10.71 respectively). Sex difference was significant in Rajgond, Chenchu and Pardhan (chi 2 values 19.26, 33.46 and 24.64 respectively) for frequency of digital patterns. Inter-tribal comparisons showed Koya resembling with Kolam and Pardhan and Rajgond with Pardhan. For Total Finger Ridge Count, Kolam showed similarity with Rajgond, Pardhan and Sugali, Rajgond with Sugali and Chenchu also with Sugali. Pattern intensity index did not differ significantly among these populations.