Interpopulation variation in fluctuating asymmetry of the palmar A‐B ridge‐count

Fluctuating asymmetry was measured by the Pearson correlation coefficient between a ‐ b ridge‐counts of the right and left hands. Such data were available for 38 samples, which were grouped by major geographical regions. Significant heterogeneity exists within some of the geographical groups but the between geographical group component is highly significant in both sexes. Our results show that a sizable fraction of variation in fluctuating asymmetry is related to geographical race. There is no evidence that it follows environmental or ecological lines. The variation between geographical races suggests that there is a genetic component in the magnitude of fluctuating asymmetry.