Pigmentation variation in Finno-Ugric peoples

Leiu Heapost. PIGMENTATION VARIATION IN FINNO-UGRIC PEOPLES. Papers on Anthropology; 2008, Vol. 17, p80-102.

The paper presents a short overview of the variability of eye and hair colour of Finno-Ugric and their neighbouring peoples on the basis of Karin Mark's studies (22 ethnic groups, consisting of 133 local ethnic groups, a total of approximately 13,000 individuals). Eye and hair colour in Finno-Ugric peoples varies rather greatly. The percentage of blue and grey eyes (light, 0 points) ranges in different groups from 2 to 80, of mottled (1 point) from 16 to 63, and of brown eyes (dark, 2 points) from 0 to 42. Still, in most groups, light eyes are dominant; dark eyes are rarer. The average point for eye colour (M) varies from 0.24 to 1.39. Regional variability of hair colour in Finno-Ugric peoples is greater than that of eye colour, although the picture is similar. Fair hair (0-2 points or No 9-26 on the Fischer scale) occurs among 2-50%, brown hair (3 points or No 6-8) among 22-71% and black hair (4 points or No 4-5 and 27) among 7-76% of subjects. The average point varies from 2.42 to 3.73. In most Finno-Ugric peoples, red hair is rare, in some groups even non-existent. The percentage of red hair exceeds 1% in Finnish Swedes (average 1.4%), Bessermen (1.6%) and Komi-Permyaks (1.8%). Udmurts form an exception among the peoples studied with a particularly high percentage of red-haired persons (4%, var 1.0-7.3%).