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5. The correlation analysis and its significance in ecological anthropology. Part II

The correlation analysis and its significance in ecological anthropology. Part II

Goodkova L.K.

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Mochovaya st., 11, Moscow, 125009, Russia

Goodkova Lyudmila K., PhD, D. Sc., lkgoodkova@bk.ru

Abstract

Introduction. This is the second part of the article on the importance of correlation analysis in the study of adaptive variability. Its main goal is to explain population diversity of physiological and morphophysiological correlations from the viewpoint of physiological homeostasis. Materials and methods. Various physiological and morphological characteristics were measured in populations living in different ecological conditions. Levels of hemoglobin, glucose, serum proteins and total cholesterol in blood were measured using standard spectrophotometric methods. Methods of measuring and calculating morphological characteristics are standard methods used in Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology MSU. Intragroup correlations were analyzed, both for different physiological characteristics and for physiological with morphological characteristics. Results and discussion. Analysis of physiological and morphophysiological correlations shows that there are some stable connections between these characteristics that are true for most studied populations. There is a sexual dimorphism in covariance of characteristics, and some correlations show adaptive nature. Correlations’ variety depends on physiological homeostasis that can influence closeness and direction of correlation in different populations. The pressure of changeable environment is not only causing physiological stress but also influencing stable morphophysiological correlations: some of them break, and some new correlations form. Method of correlation adaptometry does not add any significant information to the interpretation of the results of the study of the population level covariance of physiological characteristics Conclusion. Ecologically reactive physiological characteristics are the base of all adaptations, they determine the variability of correlations. This phenomenon has valuable biological meaning for assessment of populations’ adaptations to the environment.

Keywords

ecological anthropology; adaptive variability; physiological homeostasis; holistic approach; correlation analysis; correlation adaptometry

DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2017.4.004-016

Цит.: Goodkova L.K. The correlation analysis and its significance in ecological anthropology. Part II // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2017; 4/2017; с. 4-16