Sexual dimorphism and population variation in mandibular variables

A study on a contemporary Indian population

Datos Bibliográficos

ID7986136
AutoresVineeta Saini (0000-0002-1396-5683, Department of Forensic Science, Faculty of Science, Shree Guru Gobind Singh University, Gurugram), Aman Chowdhry (0000-0001-6243-4152, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University), Jamia Nagar), Mitalee Mehta (Rashtriya Raksha University)
Año2021
Volumen130
Número1
Páginas59-70
Fecha de publicación2021-12-07
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAnthropological Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0918-7960 • E-ISSN: 1348-8570
EditorialAnthropological Society of Nippon (PUBLISHER • JP)
DOI10.1537/ase.2108282
OpenAlexW4205301304
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas41

Sexual dimorphism in a population varies over time due to temporal changes and data on this need to be updated regularly. Further, each population needs its own sex-discriminating anthropometric standards, which can be used on unknown skeletal remains of that population. Sex estimation of fragmented, buried, or burnt remains in which sex-discriminating morphological traits are often impossible to discern presents a huge problem for anthropologists, archaeologists, and forensic experts. The mandible—a strong bone usually found with other skeletal remains—is considered highly sexually dimorphic. In the current study, we investigated the reliability of mandibular dimorphism for sex estimation using 17 variables in the contemporary Indian population. The study included 385 adult mandibles of known sex and age collected from the two medical colleges in northern India. After the measurement of all variables, they were subjected to discriminant function analysis. All variables showed significantly larger dimensions in males except one. The most dimorphic variables included length measurements followed by height; breadth measurements were the least dimorphic. The gonion–gnathion length emerged as the most dimorphic parameter, with sexing of 79.5%. The stepwise and direct analysis resulted in 81.1% and 84.7% accuracy, representing the mandible as highly dimorphic. Factors that affect sexing accuracy and selection of the best variables are also explored and discussed

Anthropometry · Biology · Discriminant function analysis · Linear discriminant analysis · Population · Sex characteristics · Sexing · Sexual dimorphism · Statistics · Zoology · Demography · dental development and anomalies · Dental Radiography and Imaging · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Mathematics · Medicine · Genetics · Internal Medicine