engleski

Latent Structure of Quantitative Dermatoglyphic Traits of Middle Dalmatia (Croatia)

The latent structure of quantitative dermatoglyphic traits has been analyzed from the population in Middle Dalmatia: islands of Brač, Hvar and Korčula, peninsula of Pelješac and Makarska coastal region. We analyzed 18 variables from fingers and palms, and principal component analysis was performed. In males, we extracted 4 factors for the islands Brač and Korčula, 5 factors for the island of Hvar and Pelješac peninsula and 6 factors for Makarska coastal region. In females we extracted 4 factors for the island of Korčula, 5 factors for the island of Brač, Hvar and Pelješac peninsula, 6 factors for the Makarska region. The total variance in males varies for 4 factors, from 64.19 % to 70.71 % (for all factors from 68.88% to 75.80%). In females, for 4 factors the total variance was from 57.03 % to 66.87% (for all factors from 66.87% to 76.13%). In all population groups on the first factor all finger dermatoglyphics were extracted, while on the other factors there is evident variability of a number of factors extracted and variable explanations. The analysis of variables from extracted factors might give us information about similarities and differences between the groups concerning the latent structure, and also the differences and inter-individual variability in females in comparison to the males. This study provides an insight into the effects of population structure and microevolution on quantitative variation.

latent structure; dermatoglyphs; Croatia

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