Dermatoglyphic characterization of Berbers from Morocco: qualitative and quantitative digital and palm data

Background : The demographic impact of the Arabization in the Berber genetic background has been extensively studied by means of different classical and DNA genetic markers. Information from other biological traits as dermatoglyphics could be of interest in order to gain an insight into the relationship between these two North African groups. Aim : The Moroccan Berber population is characterized by means of digital and palm dermatoglyphics to determine the degree of genetic affinities among Berber and other Mediterraneans, especially the Moroccan Arab-speakers. Subjects and methods : Finger patterns, pattern intensity, finger total ridge counts, pattern frequencies in the five configuration areas of the palm, mainline D terminations, and a-b ridge count were analysed in a sample of 120 males and 103 females of Moyen Atlas (Morocco). Results : Bilateral asymmetry was more pronounced than sexual differences in the overall distribution of the analysed traits. Our two series (males and females) exhibit high values of total ridge count (TRC) and mainline D terminations in comparison with other Mediterranean series. Several pattern frequencies in fingers and palm areas also differentiate the Berbers of Moyen Atlas from North Africans. Conclusion : The picture obtained by principal components based on qualitative digital and palm data revealed that Berber males were within the variation range of North African groups while Berber females clustered with some Iberian samples. The population pattern obtained in a bivariate plot of quantitative finger data showed the Berbers (males and females) as the most differentiated population in the Mediterranean context. Dermatoglyphic data failed to indicate any particular proximity between Berbers and Arab-speakers from Morocco.

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