Digito-Palmar Dermatoglyphics Among the People of Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross Rivier State, Nigeria

Dermatoglyphics, the study of epidermal ridge patterns on the fingers and palms, serves as a unique and reliable tool for anthropological and genetic investigation. This research aims to comprehensively analyze and document the patterns, frequencies, and quantitative dermatoglyphics features (ATD angles) among indigenes of Odukpani Local Government Area. The study was carried out among 100 individuals of Odukpani Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria and data collected were using ink and paper methods. The results revealed that loop patterns were the most dominant fingerprint type, with a higher frequency on the left hand (73%) compared to the right hand (68%). Whorl patterns were more prevalent in the right hand (42%) than the left (20%). Gender differences were also observed, with males exhibiting more loops (65%) and females showing a higher prevalence of whorls (31%). Arch patterns were more common in males (17%) than females (11%). Palmprint patterns, however, showed no significant differences between genders, with p-values of 0.700 for the left hand and 0.469 for the right hand. No significant gender differences in palmprint patterns were observed across the sample (p-values > 0.05). The ATD angle was slightly higher in females than in males on both hands. In Right hand, Males have a mean ATD angle of 47.85±1.4, while females have a slightly higher mean of 49.47±1.5. In Left hand, Males mean ATD angle is 46.45±1.4, while females show 47.57±1.6. The study concluded that fingerprint patterns show significant variation based on both hand dominance and gender, with loops being the most common pattern overall and whorls more frequent in females. In contrast, palmprint patterns showed no significant gender-based differences, suggesting that these traits may be more stable across populations. These findings align with previous studies, contributing to the broader understanding of dermatoglyphic variability and its genetic underpinnings.