Sexual Dimorphism of Hand Length Ratios among Igede Ethnic Group in Nigeria

Nowadays sex-age gap, stature, and ancestral ties are used as biological markers to identify people for forensic purposes. This study was carried out to investigate sexual dimorphic characterization in a small ethnic group in northern Nigeria as seen in hand lengths and ratios. The present study was conducted on 862 subjects (308 males and 554 females) aged 11 to 19. Hand length measurements were taken from the ventral crease to the tip of the finger as r2d, l2d, l2d, l4d, and 2d:4d respectively. Student’s t-test was used to describe data and sex differentiation. Pearson’s correlation analysis was applied to establish relationship between stature and age with hand length ratios. Multiple regression models were generated to back up the strength of relationship by prediction from digit lengths for stature. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

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