Anthony B. Falsetti

Morphometrics of the callitrichid forelimb: A case study in size and shape

Mosimann and colleagues formulated a technique that distinguishes between size and shape, based on the concept of geometric similarity and the distinction between “log size-and-shape” and “log shape” variables. We extend these formulations in an examination of the forelimb of three callitrichid species (adultSaguinus oedipus, Saguinus fuscicollis, andCallithrix jacchus). We employ principal components analysis to explore the relationship between variance explained by size-and-shape versus shape alone. Independence of shape vectors is examined via correlation analysis. Then we use log shape data to construct intersample (species means) and total sample (between all paris of individuals) matrices of average taxonomic distances. These distance matrices are subjected to cluster analysis and principal coordinate ordinations. Results of principal components analysis suggest that after isometric size is removed, there remains sufficient shape information to discriminate among the three taxa. Careful examination and quantification of the relationships between shape and size suggest that size information (e.g., geometric mean) is fundamental for understanding shape differences within and among callitrichid species; in other words, most aspects of forelimb shape are significantly correlated with size. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we also demonstrate that such correlations are not “spurious”. Ordinations and clustering of log shape distance matrices (based on means and individuals) support the notion that, despite differences in size, the two tamarins are more similar in shape than either is toC. jacchus (despite size similarity betweenS. fuscicollis andC. jacchus). Although shape variation in the forelimb of calliirichids may have a functional component, the phylogenetic signal remains strong and serves to group individuals accordingly.

Mystery solved: the identification of the two missing Romanov children using DNA analysis.

One of the greatest mysteries for most of the twentieth century was the fate of the Romanov family, the last Russian monarchy. Following the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, he and his wife, Alexandra, and their five children were eventually exiled to the city of Yekaterinburg. The family, along with four loyal members of their staff, was held captive by members of the Ural Soviet. According to historical reports, in the early morning hours of July 17, 1918 the entire family along with four loyal members of their staff was executed by a firing squad. After a failed attempt to dispose of the remains in an abandoned mine shaft, the bodies were transported to an open field only a few kilometers from the mine shaft. Nine members of the group were buried in one mass grave while two of the children were buried in a separate grave. With the official discovery of the larger mass grave in 1991, and subsequent DNA testing to confirm the identities of the Tsar, the Tsarina, and three of their daughters – doubt persisted that these remains were in fact those of the Romanov family. In the summer of 2007, a group of amateur archeologists discovered a collection of remains from the second grave approximately 70 meters from the larger grave. We report forensic DNA testing on the remains discovered in 2007 using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), autosomal STR, and Y- STR testing. Combined with additional DNA testing of material from the 1991 grave, we have virtually irrefutable evidence that the two individuals recovered from the 2007 grave are the two missing children of the Romanov family: the Tsarevich Alexei and one of his sisters.

Differences in three intercondylar notch geometry indices between males and females: a cadaver study

The primary purpose of this unique evaluation of cadaveric skeletal geometry was to compare intercondylar notch geometry between males and females. One hundred male skeletons and 100 female skeletons were evaluated. Three indices of notch geometry were calculated from digital photographs of the distal femur: notch width index, notch area index, and notch shape index. Notch shape index for males exceeded that for females (P<0.004). The intercondylar notch appears less round in females and may play a role in causing ACL injuries. Future studies are required to confirm any link between notch geometry and ACL injury.

Sex Assessment from Metacarpals of the Human Hand

Discriminant functions designed for the determination of sex from metacarpal measurements are presented. Three samples of metacarpal specimens were employed in the analysis; one consisting of 212 individuals from the Terry Collection, one of 33 individuals from the Royal Free Medical School in London, and finally, 40 individuals from the Forensic/Donated Collection, Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, all of whom had documented sex. Five measurements designed to characterize the size and shape of the human metacarpal were taken on all five digits. Based on the Terry Collection, significant metric differences attributed to race were found for digits I and III, and thus functions could only be derived for the three remaining metacarpals. Sex discriminant functions derived from the Terry Collection for digits II, IV, and V provide correct classification of 92.0, 86.26, and 84.37 percent. The resulting three linear equations were then independently applied to the Royal Free Medical School and Forensic/Donated samples to validate the accuracy of the original functions. Percentage of correct classification for each of the test samples varies.

Frontal bone morphometrics of southwest Asian Pleistocene hominids

Abstract Morphometric relationships among late middle and early late Pleistocene fossil hominids from southwestern Asia are examined utilizing multivariate analyses of frontal bones. Particular emphasis is placed on assessing the interaction of size and shape factors in determining relationships among these specimens. Results of these analyses can be summarized in five points. First, techniques which maximize pattern recognition based primarily on shape factors provide the most reliable information pertinent to phylogenetic relationships among these hominids. Second, the Zuttiyeh specimen does not exhibit a greater similarity to the early “modern” Skhu¯l/Qafzeh hominids than to Levantine Neandertals. Third, the Shanidar Neandertals do not cluster closely with Levantine archaic humans. Fourth, the Mousterian-associated Skhu¯l/Qafzeh hominids exhibit distinct similarities to archaic humans, but the Skhu¯l hominids give no unequivocal indication of being “hybrids” between the Qafzeh people and Neandertals. Finally, clear patterns of change occur in frontal bone morphology from the early “modern” (Mousterian-associated) Skhu¯l/Qafzeh hominids to early Upper Paleolithic-associated humans from the Levant.

Genetic structure of human populations in the British Isles

Spatial patterns were studied for 36 allele frequencies representing 14 genetic systems (blood antigens, enzymes and serum proteins) in the United Kingdom and Irish Republic. The total number of data points over all systems and localities is 331. Patterns of genetic variation in space are graphically represented by one-dimensional and directional correlograms, and by interpolated allele-frequency surfaces. The data surfaces were examined by the various techniques of spatial autocorrelation analysis. Zones of rapid change across allele surfaces were discovered by the wombling method. Six allele frequency surfaces from four genetic systems exhibit significant spatial patterns. Only one pattern (IO; in the ABO system) may be described as purely clinal in an east-west direction; another (IB; in ABO) approximates a cline or at least north-south differentiation. A method was developed for testing the direction of maximal genetic autocorrelation. Two previously unrecorded patterns for the British Isles, north-south gradients for Rhesus and P, were detected. Twelve zones of rapid genetic change were discovered; some of these seem to reflect maritime and montane physical barriers as well as long-held cultural and linguistic differences, particularly between early Germanic and Celtic speakers. Moreover, some appear to reflect past historic events such as the invasions of Anglo-Saxons and Anglo-Normans.

A New Method for Discriminating African-American from European-American Skeletons Using Postcranial Osteometrics Reflective of Body Shape

A discriminant function analysis based on seven postcranial measurements for the metric assessment of race is presented. A sample from the Terry Collection (NMNH) was used to create independent functions for African-American males and females, and European-American males and females. The functions were tested using known forensic cases from the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology and the C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory. Based on the Terry Collection sample, correct classification of race for males was 87.0%, and for females 100.0%. For the independent test population, correct classification for males was 81.8%, and for females only 57.1%. The low classification for females is most likely due to sample bias.

Elemental analysis of bone: proton-induced X-ray emission testing in forensic cases

Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) is a spectroscopic technique that provides the researcher with the elemental composition of a given target material. In this paper, we illustrate the utility of PIXE analysis in two forensic contexts: (1) case of cremation in which the nature of the remains is questioned and (2) cases of death by gunshot wound. In the first case, elemental analysis by PIXE reveals that the purported cremated remains are not bone. The last two cases show that radiopaque metallic residue embedded in bone is composed of lead from a projectile.

Craniometric Variation in the Americas

AbstractCraniofacial variation is investigated in Latin America and the Caribbean. The samples included in this study are two historic and one prehistoric sample from Ecuador; prehistoric and modern Cuban samples; a prehistoric Peruvian sample; two prehistoric Mexican samples and one contemporary admixed Mexican sample; a 16th/17th-century Spanish sample; and Terry blacks. Biological distance is investigated using traditional craniometrics by computing size and shape variables according to Mosimann and colleagues. This study shows that there is much biological variation within the Americas.

Relative growth of the postcranial skeleton in callitrichines

This study presents the results and suggested functional implications of a metric analysis of skeletal size and shape variation in ontogenetic samples of three callitrichine species:Saguinus oedipus,Saguinus fuscicollis andCallithrix jacchus. Adult interspecific shape differences distinguishS. fuscicollis from the other species. The most notable of these are the intermembral and brachial indices, both of which are significantly higher inS. fuscicollis. Ontogenetic growth patterns are highly conserved across species and the species-specific patterns of growth-related change are virtually identical.Saguinus fuscicollis exhibits a significantly higher intermembral index throughout the period of ontogeny observed in this study, and has a relatively longer radius at any given size or age. The elongation of the forelimb inS. fuscicollis is best seen as an adaptation for increasing the lateral positioning of the forelimbs when foraging on the trunks of large trees.