Population Relationships of Lapps As Reflected by Quantitative Dermatoglyphics

Document Type

Article

Authors

R.L. Jantz, University of Tennessee
A.W. Eriksson, Free University of Amsterdam
H. Brehme, Universitaet Freiburg

Abstract

Relationships and divergence among five Lapp samples were assessed using finger and palm interdigital ridge counts. Lapp relationships to other Uralic speakers were also assessed. Multivariate minimum FST values expressing differentiation among Lapps are 0.012. These values are higher than those for most European populations and show the importance of isolation and genetic drift in Lapp populations. Skolt Lapps and Lapps of the Kola Peninsula are generally more similar to each other and are differentiated from Mountain and Fisher Lapps. When Lapps are placed within the context of Uralic speakers in general, they show a marked affinity for the Finnic speakers and are differentiated from the Samoyedic speakers of Siberia. The ridge counts support the hypothesis of a European origin for the Lapps.

Recommended Citation

Jantz, R.L.; Eriksson, A.W.; and Brehme, H. (1993) "Population Relationships of Lapps As Reflected by Quantitative Dermatoglyphics," Human Biology: Vol. 65: Iss. 5, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol65/iss5/3