Heritability of digit ratio (2D:4D) in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).
The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is a putative biomarker for prenatal androgen effects, which has been widely employed to study androgenic-programming effects on shaping sex-linked traits and behaviours in humans. This approach is now increasingly applied to non-human species. Heritability studies of 2D:4D in both humans and zebra finches indicate substantial genetic contributions to the expression of this trait. This study examines the heritability of 2D:4D in rhesus macaques, based on the resemblance of mother-infant dyads, to see how these compare with human values. Results suggest that familial resemblance in 2D:4D is also strong in rhesus monkeys. Heritability estimates were within the range of estimates from human studies. These preliminary results suggest that the strength of heritability of 2D:4D may generalize across taxa.
Nelson
Emma
E
School of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology, University of Liverpool, Hartley Building, Brownlow Street, Liverpool, L69 3GS, UK. enelson@liverpool.ac.uk
Voracek
Martin
M
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male