Fingerprint homoplasy: Koalas and humans

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dc.contributor.authorHenneberg, M.
dc.contributor.authorLambert, K.
dc.contributor.authorLeigh, C.
dc.date.issued1997
dc.description.abstractFingerprints (dermatoglyphes) consist of patterns formed by parallel ridges on bare skin of fingertips. They are typical for higher primates, but occur sporadically in other mammals. We have recently observed the presence of dermatoglyphes, microscopically and macroscopically similar to those of humans, on the fingers and toes of the tree-climbing marsupial Phascolarctus cinereus. Presence of nearly identical dermatoglyphes in lineages of mammals undergoing separate evolution for at least 70 million years, but adapting to climbing and grasping, indicates that adaptive regularities may be a common feature of the evolutionary process.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityMaciej Henneberg, Kosette M. Lambert, Chris M. Leigh
dc.identifier.citationNatural Science, 1997; 1:4-4
dc.identifier.issn1206-940X
dc.identifier.orcidHenneberg, M. [0000-0003-1941-2286]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/5433
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherHeron Publishing
dc.rightsCopyright status unknown
dc.source.urihttps://web.archive.org/web/20061114004105/http://naturalscience.com/ns/articles/01-04/ns_hll.html
dc.subjectDermal ridges
dc.subjectdermatoglyphes
dc.subjecteutherians
dc.subjectevolution
dc.subjectfingerprints
dc.subjectgrasping
dc.subjectmarsupials
dc.subjectprehensile
dc.subjecttree kangaroos
dc.subjectwombat
dc.titleFingerprint homoplasy: Koalas and humans
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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