Fluctuating asymmetry of a foraging population: the Hadza of Tanzania.
OBJECTIVE
We present the first data on non-facial fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in a foraging population, the Hadza of Tanzania. We compare Hadza FA with FA of college students in New Mexico.


METHODS
We measured FA on 10 traits using digital calipers, and calculated a composite FA value for 63 Hadza between the ages of 18 and 72.


RESULTS
We found Hadza FA to be significantly higher than US FA. Female FA was higher than male FA among the Hadza, but not among the US sample. Hadza FA increases with age, unlike US FA. We discuss possible influences on FA across the lifespan.
Gray
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Department of Anthropology, Peabody Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. gray@fas.harvard.edu
Marlowe
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F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D001824:Body Constitution; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011153:Population; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013636:Tanzania; D014481:United States