Palmar and digital dermatoglyphics of indigenous black Zimbabweans

Dermatoglyphic traits have been shown to be genetically determined, conservative in their evolution, and different between and within population groups. There have been a few reports dealing with Southern African populations, but there appears to be no published report for indigenous black Zimbabweans. Bilateral palmar and digital prints of 270 indigenous black Zimbabweans were recorded, studied and classified using standard methods. The total finger ridge count (TFRC), pattern intensity index (PII), atd angle, and a-b ridge counts were analyzed and the data compared with those of Malawians, South African Zulus and Nigerian Yorubas. Ulnar loops were the most predominant digital pattern type in both sexes followed by whorls in males and arches in females. Females had significantly higher atd angles than males (p