Abstract:

Objective To analyze the somatotypes of Mosuo and to identify Mosuo national affiliation. Methods The physical anthropological indicators of 386 Mosuo adults (179 males, 207 females) from Yongning, Ninglang, Yunnan were measured and the Heath-Carter somatotypes of Mosuo were analyzed. Results The mean somatotype of male was 3.2-4.9-2.4, belonged to endo-mesomorph category. The mean somatotype of female was 5.0-4.8-1.6, belonged to endoderm-mesodermal equilibrium. The distribution of the male was discrete, and the female was relatively concentrated. Before the age of 60, along with the age growth, the fat, bone and muscle of females were more and more developed, and linearity of body was smaller. The comparison of somatotypes position distance showed that Mosuo was closest to Bouyei, closer to Han and Mongolia nationalities in Yunnan and far away from Barag Mongolian. The result of clustering analysis of the 3 somatotypes among 13 groups (eight southern minorities, 2 southern Han ethnic groups, three northern Mongolia ethnic groups) showed that somatotype of Mosuo was mainly characterized by southern ethnic groups, but it was slightly different with them. Comprehensively the 3 somatotypes of 13 ethnic groups and the body fat of Mosuo were inferior to northern Mongolia and Han nationalities, and superior to 7 southern ethnic groups. The body was stronger than the majority of southern ethnic groups, but inferior to northern Mongolia ethnic groups. Conclusion On the whole, Mosuo is mainly characterized by southern ethnic groups, but more stronger and fatter than majority of them.The conclusion of this study do not support the view that Mosuo is a branch of Mongolia.

Key words: Somatotype, Heath-Carter method, Somatometry, Mosuo