Efe, Jaiyeoba-Ojigho JenniferChris-Ozoko, Lilian EbeleTaniyohwo, Enaohwo MamerhiAforkogene, Ubogu JosephOkolie, Emmanuel IkechukwuOnyesom, Innocent2025-05-092025-05-092024-03Efe Jaiyeoba-Ojigho Jennifer, Chris-Ozoko Lilian Ebele, Taniyohwo Enaohwo Mamerhi, Aforkogene Ubogu Joseph, Okolie Emmanuel Ikechukwu, Onyesom Innocent . Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium Study of Some Morphogenetic Traits in a Nigerian Population . International Journal of Anatomy and Research. 2024 Mar; 12(1): 8840-88482321-42872321-8967https://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/243203Background: The Hardy-Weinberg (HW) equilibrium studies the distribution of allelic and genotypic frequencies within a population. It provides a mathematical benchmark for a population that is evolving and not evolving. Aim: This study investigated six morphogenetic traits among families in a Nigerian population using the Hardy- Weinberg principle with the aim of evaluating if the population was in HW equilibrium. Methodology: A total of 45 families comprising a father, mother and at least one offspring were conveniently sampled in Ogbe- Ijoh district in Delta State, Nigeria. Earlobe attachment, Hand clasping, Hitchhiker’s thumb, Leg folding, Morton’s toe and Widow’s peak were studied for their allelic and genotypic frequencies. The Chi- square test was used to analyse the association between these traits and sex, and conformance to the Mendelian inheritance pattern was evaluated with a Mendelian Chi-square. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium compared the allelic frequencies of parents with those of offspring. Results: Males had higher frequencies for attached earlobes, Morton’s toe and widow’s peak (35.1, 51.9, 49.4%), while the females showed a predominance for hitchhiker’s thumb, right hand clasping and leg folding (50,72.4,70.7%). There was no association between the traits and gender (p>0.05). From the Mendelian Chi-square, free earlobe, right-hand clasping, right leg folding, Morton’s toe (SBt), the recessive phenotype of hitchhiker’s thumb as well as widow’s peak were the dominant traits in the studied population (X2 < 3.841 ). The H-W equation revealed a deviation of the offspring’s genotype from those of the parents for earlobe, hand clasping, leg folding, Morton’s toe and widow’s peak (1:1:2 [1:1; 4]; 2: 1: 3 [1:1:2]; 3:1:3 [1:1:2]; 5: 1: 4 [6:1:5}; 5:1:4 [7: 1:5]). However, parental and offspring alleles were identical for hitchhiker’s thumb (5:1:5 [5:1: 5]). The homozygotes for both parents and offspring outnumbered the heterozygotes for all traits (295: 245; 156: 119). Conclusion: The study showed that only the hitchhiker’s thumb was in HW equilibrium, suggesting that evolution may not occur at that locus.Hardy-Weinberg equilibriumMendelTraitsNigeriaPopulationJournal ArticleIndiaDepartment of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, NigeriaDepartment of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, NigeriaDepartment of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, NigeriaDepartment of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, NigeriaDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, EnglandMalaria Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria