Clustering of Global Variation on Cranial Traits

The following study analyzed global variation in 20 distinct cranial traits in more than seventy global populations. The main patterns of segregation of the major races, found from genetic markers is repeated for these cranial traits.

An interesting thing to note is that Predynastic Egyptians (Naqada, 5,000-4,000BP), 26th-30th dynasty Egyptians (Gizeh), Kerma Nubians (12th-13th dynasty), and Early Christian date Nubians are all unambiguously similar to members of the European/North African/South Asian cluster and distinct from Sub-Saharan Africans.

This confirms the earlier work by C. Loring Brace on craniometric data which again grouped Egyptians with other Caucasoids and not with Sub-Saharan Africans.

Characterization of biological diversity through analysis of discrete cranial traits

Tsunehiko Hanihara et al.

(to appear in American Journal of Physical Anthroopology)

Abstract

In the present study, the frequency distributions of 20 discrete cranial traits in 70 major human populations from around the world were analyzed. The principal-coordinate and neighbor-joining analyses of Smith's mean measure of divergence (MMD), based on trait frequencies, indicate that 1) the clustering pattern is similar to those based on classic genetic markers, DNA polymorphisms, and craniometrics; 2) significant interregional separation and intraregional diversity are present in Subsaharan Africans; 3) clinal relationships exist among regional groups; 4) intraregional discontinuity exists in some populations inhabiting peripheral or isolated areas. For example, the Ainu are the most distinct outliers of the East Asian populations. These patterns suggest that founder effects, genetic drift, isolation, and population structure are the primary causes of regional variation in discrete cranial traits. Our results are compatible with a single origin for modern humans as well as the multiregional model, similar to the results of Relethford and Harpending ([[1994]] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 95:249-270). The results presented here provide additional measures of the morphological variation and diversification of modern human populations. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Neighbor Joining Tree of 70 world populations based on 20 distinct cranial traits

Source (requires access)

Posted by Dienekes at April 8, 2003 06:58 PM | PermaLink