The second to fourth digit ratio and asymmetry

Manning, John T.; Fink, Bernhard; Neave, Nick; Szwed, Anita

doi:10.1080/03014460600802551

Cited by 37 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The directional asymmetry of digit ratio provides information about the sensitivity of the limbs to hormonal exposure (Brown et al, 2002b;Manning et al, 2006). It has been reported that, in humans, directional asymmetry is grater in males (Williams et al, 2000;Manning, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Females Have Larger Ratio of Second‐to‐Fourth Digits Than Males in Four Species of Salamandridae, Caudata

Kaczmarski

Kubicka

Tryjanowski

et al. 2015

The Anatomical Record

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Digit ratio (2D:4D) denotes the relative length of the second and fourth digits. It is considered to be a suitable biomarker of the in utero balance of fetal sex hormones, which affect early development of individua ls behavioral and morphological characteristics. In recent decades, digit ratio attracted a great attention in biology and psychology. However, for unmasking the biological basis of the phenomenon, extensive studies on nonhuman animals are necessary. Despite it was hypothesized that digit ratio is well conserved in all Tetrapoda, and there exist studies on mammals, birds, and reptiles, there are only two such study on anuran amphibians. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the 2D:4D in the most basal salamanders, Caudata. We have studied digit ratio in four species of newts: Triturus cristatus, Mesotriton alpestris, Lissotriton montandoni, and Lissotriton vulgaris, using museum collection. We used computerized measuring of each limbs photos. We have found out that, in M. alpestris, females 2D:4D of all four limbs were significantly larger than in males. In L. montandoni and L. vulgaris, only 2D:4D of rear limbs significantly differed, in females being larger. In T. cristatus, digit ratios of males and females did not statistically differ. Thus, the results confirmed our hypothesis that at least in M. alpestris, L. montandoni, and L. vulgaris, females seem to have larger 2D:4D comparing to males, the pattern known from most mammals and opposite to birds, reptiles and anuran amphibians.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Females Have Larger Ratio of Second‐to‐Fourth Digits Than Males in Four Species of Salamandridae, Caudata

Kaczmarski

Kubicka

Tryjanowski

et al. 2015

The Anatomical Record

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“…On the other hand, a second study indicated a curvilinear relationship between body asymmetry and 2D:4D. That is, both low 2D:4D and high 2D:4D were associated with elevated levels of asymmetry, especially in the fingers [83]. However, it has been argued that most of the observed correlations between 2D:4D and degrees of asymmetry are likely to be statistical artifacts and predictions can be formulated contrary to the observed patterns [79,84,85].…”

Section: Human Studiesmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…However, it has been argued that most of the observed correlations between 2D:4D and degrees of asymmetry are likely to be statistical artifacts and predictions can be formulated contrary to the observed patterns [79,84,85]. Because the same variables (i.e., digits) were used as both dependent and independent variables, U-shaped associations would be expected [83] even in the absence of any association between 2D:4D and FA, rendering the results spurious [79,84,85]. These conjectures were further corroborated by the observation that 2D:4D in deceased human fetuses and young children correlate neither with finger FA nor any other trait asymmetries [79].…”

Section: Human Studiesmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Human studies mostly focused on the correlational relationships between T and dermatoglyphic asymmetry [72], and, putative markers of T and facial and body FA [73,[83][84][85]. Dermatoglyphic variables were chosen because of their link to developmental variation, their predictable pattern of development during fetal life [86,87] and their association with certain disorders of the central nervous system [87].…”

Section: Human Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fluctuating Asymmetry and Steroid Hormones: A Review

Benderlioglu

2010

Symmetry

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Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) represents random, minor deviations from perfect symmetry in paired traits. Because the development of the left and right sides of a paired trait is presumably controlled by an identical set of genetic instructions, these small imperfections are considered to reflect genetic and environmental perturbations experienced during ontogeny. The current paper aims to identify possible neuroendocrine mechanisms, namely the actions of steroid hormones that may impact the development of asymmetrical characters as a response to various stressors. In doing so, it provides a review of the published studies on the influences of glucocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens on FA and concomitant changes in other health and fitness indicators. It follows the premise that hormonal measures may provide direct, non-invasive indicators of how individuals cope with adverse life conditions, strengthening the associations between FA and health, fitness, and behavior.

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“…Except for hand width, we do consider these traits when presenting data for single traits rather than composite FA. Manning et al [33] advise against using indirect finger measurements in studies of symmetry. However, several lines of evidence suggest that the reliability of finger measurements was not decreased by switching to indirect measurements in later years.…”

Section: Subjects and Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Longitudinal Study of Changes in Fluctuating Asymmetry with Age in Jamaican Youth

Palestis

Trivers

2016

Symmetry

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Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), random deviation from perfect bilateral symmetry, is an indicator of developmental stability. Examining the ontogeny of FA can illustrate whether symmetry is actively maintained as the organism grows or breaks down as perturbations accumulate with age. Previous studies of changes in human FA with age have been cross-sectional studies and give conflicting results. We analyzed data from a longitudinal study of bodily FA in Jamaicans, using a composite index of seven paired traits. In addition, 288 children (ages 5-12) were first measured in 1996, and many were re-measured in 2002 and 2006 (maximum age = 22 years). Both within-individual longitudinal comparisons and between-individual comparisons across age groups demonstrate changes in FA with age. In males and females, FA increased until around age 13, but the pattern of change differed between the sexes. In males, FA increased rapidly approaching adolescence and then slightly declined into early adulthood. The increase in female FA was more gradual and then leveled off. The patterns observed likely reflect accumulation of developmental errors over time, rapid physical changes during puberty (especially in boys), and then regulation of symmetry when transitioning into adulthood. Although most changes in symmetry over time probably reflect random processes, the magnitude and direction of asymmetry in an individual at one point in time tended to be positively (though weakly) related to asymmetry in later years, pointing to underlying differences among individuals in developmental stability.

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The second to fourth digit ratio and asymmetry

Abstract: Our data show that both low 2D:4D (a marker of high prenatal testosterone) and high 2D:4D (a marker of high prenatal oestrogen) are associated with elevated levels of asymmetry and this relationship applies particularly to finger asymmetry.

Cited by 37 publications

References 30 publications

Females Have Larger Ratio of Second‐to‐Fourth Digits Than Males in Four Species of Salamandridae, Caudata

Females Have Larger Ratio of Second‐to‐Fourth Digits Than Males in Four Species of Salamandridae, Caudata

Fluctuating Asymmetry and Steroid Hormones: A Review

A Longitudinal Study of Changes in Fluctuating Asymmetry with Age in Jamaican Youth

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