Presenter(s): Kendall Soriano
Co Presenter(s): Sarah Brown
Faculty Mentor(s): Frances White & Colin Brand
Poster 31
Session: Sciences
The ratio of the length of the second to the fourth digitis[AH1] related to levels of prenatal hormone in exposure, specifically testosterone. A lower 2D:4D ratio indicates higher levels of prenatal androgen exposure, and a higher ratio indicates lower levels. Digit length is typically measured from the proximal crease to the most distal end of the digit in living and post-mortem individuals. However, post-mortem processes such as desiccation or decomposition can affect both landmark identification and accuracy of the measure. Digit length can also be measured on osteological specimens, but there is little information on how these measures compare to post- mortem measures. This study compares post-mortem measurements with osteological measurements taken on the same specimens. Here, we compared these measures across multiple primate species (N=40. We also examined the 2D:4D ratio in a macaque foot. First, using a caliper, measurements of the 3 segments in each digit were taken of a fully fleshed foot. Then, after removal of skin and flesh, measurements were taken of bones and tendons. Lastly, measurements of only bones were recorded after removal of tendons. This technique was shown to be an effective way of analyzing digit measurements as the results indicate clear differences in the ratio of digit sizes. This study demonstrates that the disarticulated measurement is the most accurate osteological method of estimating post-mortem 2D:4D. We want to take our knowledge of the relation between 2D:4D ratio and prenatal hormone exposure and apply it to across various other primate species.