A morpho-genetic study of Badhiya Muslims of Purnia District (Bihar), India

Background: The existence of genetic variation in man is caused by many factors along with selection, migration, gene flow and genetic drift. A population is characterized by a set of gene frequencies. Hence, the gene frequency data are essential prerequisite for studying the genetics of any population. As Badhiya Muslims of Purnia district (Bihar) are migrant of other place of India and nothing is known about their genetical status in this new zone, so we proposed to study morpho-genetic variation in them which could provide their genetic affinities with other populations. Methods: The distribution of morphogenetic traits was studied in Badhiya Muslims of Purnia district (Bihar). For the purpose, a survey was conducted in different villages of Badhiya Muslims and frequencies of different traits were calculated. It was observed that the frequency distribution of various traits among the studied populations shows the homogeneous distribution. Overall, frequencies of these traits were according to Indian trends. However, in certain traits Badhiya Muslims show similarities with Mongoloid traits. It needs further investigation using more serogenetic parameters. For this genetical study data on various parameters were collected from the population of Badhiya Muslims residing in different villages of Purnia district. In no case two persons belonging to the same family were subjected to test the above mentioned Mendelian traits. Standarad methodology was used to collect data on various parameters. Results: It was observed that the frequency distribution of various traits among the studied populations shows the homogeneous distribution. Overall, frequencies of these traits were according to Indian trends. Conclusion: The allelic frequencies some traits in Badhiya Muslims showed Mongoloid affinities. So, presently, it is difficult to say anything about their genetical status. The data with some more serogenetic markers and morphological characters to be studied in future can throw fresh light on the origin and evolution the population under study