Dermatoglyphics of Easter Islanders analyzed by pattern type, admixture effect, and ridge count variation.
The adult Easter Island population was fingerprinted in 1965 as part of an overall study of their human biology.  Major findings of the dermatoglyphic analysis are as follows.  Digit and bimanuar percentages of patterns (arches, loops, and whorls) were similar to those observed in Europeans.  However, in terms of total pattern type distributions, the Islanders had many more whorls and a correspondingly much higher Pattern Intensity Index than those found in European groups.  This difference was even present, although in lesser magnitude, in Easter Islanders known to be admixed with Europeans.  Corresponding to a high occurrence of whorls, Mean Total Ridge Count (TRC) was also notably high.  An association between TRC as a measure of pattern size and incidence of patterns was clearly evident in several groups available for comparison.
D003878:Dermatoglyphics / Q000145:classification; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D007839:Functional Laterality; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D011114:Polynesia; D044469:Racial Groups; D012737:Sex Factors; D006113:United Kingdom