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5. Clarifications on the dermatoglyphic method in "Anthropometry" by V.V. Bunak

Clarifications on the dermatoglyphic method in "Anthropometry" by V.V. Bunak

Shpak L.Ju.

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Anuchin Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Mokhovaya str., 11, Moscow, 125009, Russia

Shpak Larisa Ju.; PhD; ORCID: 0000-0002-6936-9426; larusparus@mail.ru

Abstract

Introduction. Dermatoglyphics is an integral part of the biological anthropology related to the studies of the population polymorphism and geographical variability of Homo sapiens. V.V. Bunak presented the dermatoglyphic methods in the chapter XI of "Anthropometry" too compact, the text needs some technical explanations, which was the purpose of this work. Materials and methods. We have combined the comments to the XI chapter of "Anthropometry" with a summary of the main concepts and terms of the accepted descriptive dermatoglyphic methodology. Results and discussion. The presentation of the dermatoglyphic methods in the XI chapter of "Anthropometry" contains 1) general remarks on technical equipment, 2) technique for obtaining prints, 3) topography of the relief and some dermatoglyphic traits. The main accent in the presentation of the method is on obtaining correct prints of the ridge skin for their further transcription and use in morphological analysis. The descriptive method of dermatoglyphics of the hand is partially present; the main attention is devoted to the explanation of general concepts (epidermal lines, radiant, triradius, type of pattern), the designations of features in the text and in the figures are minimal. There is practically no description of the dermatoglyphics of the soles. There are some terminological discrepancies in the description of some traits of the palms. Conclusion. The technique for obtaining prints of the skin of the palms and soles in "Anthropometry" by V.V. Bunak is still relevant today, however, the descriptive part is presented in fragments. Numerous data on dermatoglyphics had not yet been systematized in sufficient detail by the time "Anthropometry" was published, and an abbreviated form of the methodology was justified. The notes we have cited to the text of chapter XI of "Anthropometry" are specifying.

Keywords

biological anthropology; dermatoglyphics; anthropometry; V.V. Bunak

DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2022.4.043-049

Цит.: Shpak L.Ju. Clarifications on the dermatoglyphic method in "Anthropometry" by V.V. Bunak // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2022; 4/2022; с. 43-49 (Published: November 21, 2022)