Ectrodactyly is a condition in which children are born with claw-shaped hands and/or feet due to their being born with missing digits. It is sometimes referred to as ‘lobster claw syndrome.’ The image at left is of a family sharing this genetic condition. It appears to have been taken in Spain in 1930.
When I was much younger, I read of a tribe in Zimbabwe, Africa where about 1/4 of the population had this condition. I remember how their condition intrigued me even then. Because it was against tribal law for people to marry outside the tribe, many of the Vadoma people had ectrodactyly. You may read a little more about them here.
You may read more about ectrodactyly in this Wikipedia article or simply search for more information using Google.
Graeme and the maths material made available really helped me through HSC two unit mathematics. The maths I learnt back then I still use in my university degree today, and will most likely use in the future.
Jane C (student, 2010)
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