A Comparative Study of the Palmar Crease and Axial Triradius of Kalahari and Ikwerre Ethnic Groups of Rivers State, Nigeria
The palmar crease is an important dermatoglyphic feature and they are lines on the palm of the hand: Simian, Suwon and Sydney crease. This study is aimed at investigating the palmar crease and axial radius of the palms of the Kalahari and Ikwerre ethnic groups. A total of 497 subjects which comprised of375 Ikwerres (211 males and 164 females) and 122 kalabaris (67 males and 55 females) were recruited for the study using the multi stage sampling technique. The data were obtained using print scanner (Hp G3110 photo scanner) connected to Hp mini laptop and subjected to statistical analysis using fisher's exact test and Chi-Square to determine the significant difference at 95% confidence interval (P = 0.05). The results of this study showed no Simian crease among the Ikwerre and Kalahari participants, on both, the right and left hands. The frequency of Suwon crease for both ethnic groups were not significantly different [ 2 (0.5%) for the Ikwerres and2 (1.6%) for the Kalabaris (P> 0.05)]; while for the Sydney crease, only one Sydney Crease was observed among the subjects, and this was observed among a male participant in Ikwerre ethnic group which was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The frequencies oft and t' were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). However, the frequency oft" for males on both hands [Ikwerre = 6 (3.1 %); Kalahari = 15 (22.4%)] and that of females [Ikwerre = 40 (23.5%); Kalahari =16 (29.1 %)] were statistically significant only on both hands of the male participants (P< 0.05). This study has established the prevalence of some of the palmar creases (Suwon and Sydney) and the position of the axial triradii (t, t' and t') of the Kalahari and Ikwerre ethnic groups of Rivers State. The results of this study can be used for forensic and clinical purposes, ethnic reference and scientific data for future studies.
Key Words: Palmar crease, axial triradius, Ikwerre, Kalahari