Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33664983›Full record

ArticleSymmetry2021

Fluctuating Asymmetry and Sexual Dimorphism in Human Facial Morphology: A Multi-Variate Study.

Omid Ekrami, Peter Claes, Ellen Van Assche, Mark D Shriver, Seth M Weinberg, Mary L Marazita, Susan Walsh, Stefan Van Dongen

Open access · goldAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Symmetry, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
1.6field-weighted citation impact, top 17% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 12 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Masculinity and Lying.Frontiers in psychology · 2021
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.

Omid EkramiEvolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
Peter ClaesDepartment of Electrical Engineering, ESAT/PSI, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Ellen Van AsscheEvolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
Mark D ShriverDepartment of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801, USA.
Seth M WeinbergCenter for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
Mary L MarazitaCenter for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
Susan WalshDepartment of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Stefan Van DongenEvolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
University of Antwerp · BEUniversity of Pittsburgh · USIndiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis · USPennsylvania State University · USUniversitair Ziekenhuis Leuven · BE

Funding

Extending the Phenotype of Nonsyndromic Orofacial CleftsR01DE016148 · NIDCR · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI MARAZITA, MARY L., WEINBERG, SETH M · 2004 to 2018
$19.7M
The Genetic Architecture of Human Facial MorphologyR01DE027023 · NIDCR · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI CLAES, PETER, SHAFFER, JOHN R · 2017 to 2024
$5.2M
3D Analysis of Normal Facial Variation: Data Repository and Genetics (Research)U01DE020078 · NIDCR · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI MARAZITA, MARY L., WEINBERG, SETH M · 2009 to 2013
$2.0M
NIDCR NIH HHS R01 DE016148NIDCR NIH HHS R01 DE027023NIDCR NIH HHS U01 DE020078
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFluctuating asymmetry is often used as an indicator of developmental instability, and is proposed as a signal of genetic quality. The display of prominent masculine phenotypic features, which are a direct result of high androgen levels, is also believed to be a sign of genetic quality, as these hormones may act as immunosuppressants. Fluctuating asymmetry and masculinity are therefore expected to covary. However, there is lack of strong evidence in the literature regarding this hypothesis. MATERIALS AND

methodsIn this study, we examined a large dataset of high-density 3D facial scans of 1260 adults (630 males and 630 females). We mapped a high-density 3D facial mask onto the facial scans in order to obtain a high number of quasi-landmarks on the faces. Multi-dimensional measures of fluctuating asymmetry were extracted from the landmarks using Principal Component Analysis, and masculinity/femininity scores were obtained for each face using Partial Least Squares. The possible correlation between these two qualities was then examined using Pearson's coefficient and Canonical Correlation Analysis.

resultsWe found no correlation between fluctuating asymmetry and masculinity in men. However, a weak but significant correlation was found between average fluctuating asymmetry and masculinity in women, in which feminine faces had higher levels of fluctuating asymmetry on average. This correlation could possibly point to genetic quality as an underlying mechanism for both asymmetry and masculinity; however, it might also be driven by other fitness or life history traits, such as fertility.

conclusionsOur results question the idea that fluctuating asymmetry and masculinity should be (more strongly) correlated in men, which is in line with the recent literature. Future studies should possibly focus more on the evolutionary relevance of the observed correlation in women.

Indexed as

3D morphometricsfluctuating asymmetrysexual dimorphism

Identifiers

PMID33664983
PMCPMC7929517
OpenAlexW3126597345

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.