SVIBOR - Project code: 3-01-133

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SVIBOR

SVIBOR - Collecting Data on Projects in Croatia

Project code: 3-01-133


ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCH OF THE POPULATION STRUCTURE OF CROATIA


Main researcher: RUDAN, PAVAO (41641)


Assistants
Type of research: basic
Duration from: 01/01/91. to 12/31/96.
Papers on project (total): 170
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 45
Institution name: Institut za antropologiju, Zagreb (196)
Department/Institute: Dpt. for: Anthrop. Biometry; Anthrop. Linguist. and Socio-cult. Research; Human Ecology; Medical Anthrop.; Mathematical Modell. and Biostatistics; Population Genetics; INDOC Service
Address: Ulica grada Vukovara 72
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Fax: 385 (1)536-716
Phone: 385 (1)535-145,535-598,6119-193
Summary: The population structure of reproductively isolated rural communities in Croatia (Eastern Adriatic) has been studied by applying multidisciplinary approach based on the analyses of both biological (mono and polygenetic) and sociocultural features. Various biological and cultural traits were analyzed in the sample of 1800 persons (aged between 18 and 75) using standardized methodology (IBP - MAB), which provided additional information to the existing data base of the Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb. Biological variables (47 original and derived morphological traits of the head and the body, 9 physiological - cardiorespiratory traits, 3 original and 4 derived radiogrammetric variables of the metacarpal bones, 18 quantitative and 32 qualitative dermatoglyphic traits, 3 basic odontometric traits and qualitatively assessed oral morbidity status, 21 hemogenetic markers, including 9 blood groups, 3 serum proteins and 10 izoenzymes as well as a standard set of biochemical analysis on 10 % of the sample, and hemoglobin variants) were used for the assessment of "biological distances" among subpopulations under study and in family genetic analyses. The data were also analyzed regarding sex and age. Sociocultural traits ( temporal and spatial migration during 1850-1960, isonymy, linguistic features, and vital-statistic data) provided information on the sociocultural structure of the population with decreasing reproductive isolation as a result of intensity and dynamics of new migratory patterns. The family analysis conducted on 10% of the sample was focused on the estimation of the interrelationships among studied biological traits and patterns of family behavior relative to life cycles. The study tried to define which are the important components in the cultural definition of womanhood, as well as the potentially possible influences of the socioculture on the psychodynamics of the development of the personality. Also, on the basis of multidisciplinary anthropological approach (sociocultural and psychodynamic) to the actual situations, as latent consequences of forced migrations, it has been attempted to contribute to the evaluation and organization of the methodology of aid to the displaced and refugee populations. Polygenetically determined dermatoglyphic traits were used for the discrimination between healthy and diseased persons in cases of known (or assumed) genetically determined disorders. The formation of population structure in the region was estimated by applying population genetic and biostatistic procedures and taking into account the effects of environmental pressures which through processes of short term adaptation affect the phenotype, and through processes of long term adaptation affect the population gene pool. The performed analyses provided a number of new scientific facts on microevolution and population structure of this region of Croatia.

Keywords: Population structure, Biological distances, Genetic distances, Linguistic distances, Migration, Microevolution, Anthropometric traits, Physiological traits, Dermatoglyphic traits, Hemogenetic traits, Isonymy, Kinship, Isolation by distance, Psychodynamics.

Research goals: The goal of the conducted research was to study the populationstructure of reproductively isolated rural populations in someareas of the Eastern Adriatic, the Republic of Croatia, through analyses of biological (mono and polygenetic) and sociocultural (demographic, migrational, isonymic and linguistic) traits. The model established more than ten years ago (Rudan, 1980) which has justified this holistic approach and methods is applied at two levels: 1) populational and 2) family level. In about ten years rural communities in some parts of Croatia will disappear as reproductively (genetically) isolated groups due to a drastic break-up of isolates. Therefore, this is the right time to conduct a study of this kind. The research produced direct scientific results, but also provided additional indispensable data for the existing data base. The conducted research is 1) atheoretical contribution to the study of human biological and sociocultural microevolution in specific ecological conditions;2) a scientific contribution to the study of multidimensional changes in continuous variables of phenotypically healthy persons with respect to age and sex; 3) a contribution to the determination of "referential values" (i.e., norms) in adolescents and adults of the Eastern Adriatic (lung functions, components of nutritional status, bone tissue components, dermatoglyphics) which can be used in medical practice, while some of these data can be used for discriminating diseased from healthy persons in cases of diseases with known or assumed genetic predisposition; 4) a contribution to potential identification of mechanisms that support equilibrium in the family ( as contrary to stress) through the analysis of the family system which is specific in the region under study with respect to the existing traditions undergoing current changes in the family model. The methodological problems within the framework of cultural anthropological family studies were indicated, which arise from the very determination of the definition of the normal family, this through interviewing the selected sample. All collected data are stored in the data base of biological and sociocultural traits of populations living in the analyzed region of the Republic of Croatia. These populations, living during a particular time (concerning genetic generations) and occupying a particular space, were subject to pressures of a specific biotope. The data are very important as potential referential values to be used in a follow up of future biological, social and medical status of populations in question.

COOPERATION - PROJECTS


  1. Name of project: 9254-1994 The Study and Care of Refugee Families - A Pilot Study of Anthropological and Psychodynamic Aspects (UNESCO-Participation Programe)
    Name of institution: UNESCO's participation programme for the Republic of Croatia
    City: Paris, Francuska

  2. Name of project: SMI-JFP-862 Biological and Cultural Microdifferentiation Among Rural Populations (Middle Dalmatia - Croatia)
    Name of institution: Smithsonian Institution
    City: 20560 - WASHINGTON, USA

  3. Name of project: SMI-JFP-259 Biological and Cultural Microdifferentiation Among Rural Populations (Middle Dalmatia - Croatia)
    Name of institution: Smithsonian Institution
    City: 20560 - WASHINGTON, USA

COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS


  1. Name of institution: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON, D.C., USA,
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint project
    City: Washington, D.C., USA

  2. Name of institution: UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN GENETICS
    Type of institution: Economical/Production
    Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers
    City: NE2 4AA - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, UNITED KINGDOM

  3. Name of institution: UNIVERSITE DE BORDEAUX II, LABORATOIRE D'ANTHROPOLOGIE ET DE DEMOGRAPHIE GENETIQUES
    Type of institution: Economical/Production
    Type of cooperation: Joint project
    City: 33076 - BORDEAUX, FRANCE

  4. Name of institution: UNESCO's participation programme for the Republic of Croatia
    Type of institution: International organization
    Type of cooperation: Joint project
    City: Paris, Francuska
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