DIGITAL AND PALMAR DERMATOGLYPHICS OF CHENCHUS

Abstract

This research paper discusses about digital and palmar dermatoglyphics of Chenchus. These patterns are helpful in population studies. Chenchus are most primitive tribal groups living in Kurnool, Guntur, Prakasam districts of A.P. They are classified under proto-Australoid or veddid stock by several authors. During a diet survey 116 males and 81 females were selected for finger and palmar prints. The analysis of prints was done based on Cummins and Midlo. After the analysis following are the results. Loops are more than whorls than arches and females possess more whorls and ulnar loops than males. The percentage of arches is more than twice in males (5.258) than in females (2.345). In both the sexes the prevailing order is L-W on both right and left hands on digits I, II, III, V. Digit IV shows a deviation from this order in both sexes. In males whorls are equal to loops on right hand and more than loops on left hand. In case of females whorls are more than loops on right hand and loops are slightly more than whorls on left hand digits. The pattern intensity of Arch/whorl and whorl/loop indices respectively are 12.982; 14.986; 58.815 for males and 13.382; 6.482; 58.834 for females. The main line formula 11,9,7,5 is most common. The most common ending for lines D and C is 9, while for lines B and A are in 5. The endings of the axial triradial show in more than 90% of hands. On the hypothenar areas the males show seven patterns while the females show only six patterns. True pattern Au is very common, pattern occurs in highest frequency on thenar interdigital area and also interdigital areas II, III, IV while the main combination of II, III and IV interdigit is O.L.O in males and O.O.O in females. These are different patterns considered and the results show, in many respects the Chenchus resemble the tribes of Visakhapatnam and Orissa state like the Khond and Juang who are Proto-Australoid ethnic stock.