Degree of similarity of cranial dimensions in connection with sexual dimorphism in a documented sample of eight members of the sporck and Swéerts-Sporck families (Bohemia, 17th - 20th centuries)
Abstract
Analyses of osteological non-metric traits and frontal sinuses in the noble Sporck and Swéerts-Sporck families have already shown that the degree of similarity between individuals reflects their documented family relationships. The aim of this study was to verify whether these are also reflected by cranial dimensions, the variability of which, according to some previous studies, is also influenced by genetic factors.
The sample comprises eight adult individuals from the 17th - 20th centuries, in whom 36 cranial dimensions were measured. To remove the possible effect of sexual dimorphism on the similarity of individuals, 26 indices of the evaluated dimensions were calculated, and all measured dimensions were adjusted to size.
The degree of similarity between individuals was calculated based on all three datasets. In all cases, a positive relationship between the degree of relatedness and biodistance was evident, even in the unadjusted measured dimensions, despite their significant sexual dimorphism.
In addition, there was a greater degree of similarity between biologically related compared to unrelated individuals in all three datasets. This suggests that genetics could affect craniometric traits regardless of sex, although the possible influence of other factors on the results is also discussed.