The Vadoma are a tribe of people living in western Zimbabwe, who are more commonly known as the “ostrich people” or the “two-toed tribe” are a popular example of the genetic effects of small population size on genetic defects and mutation.

One in four babies in this tribe are born with a genetic birth defect in their feet called ectrodactyly, in which the middle three toes are absent and the two outer ones are large and turned in, which gives the person the appearance of having ostrich feet. This is an autosomal dominant condition resulting from a single mutation on chromosome number seven. It is reported that those with the condition are not handicapped and well integrated into the tribe. Indeed it may help in tree climbing.

Another example of this genetic birth defect is the Stiles family also known as the lobster family, starting with William Stiles (1805-1888). Latest member of the family is Misty, born in the early 1990s. Her mother (shown at the photo below) Cathy, has appeared in the films Sisters (1973), Tim Burton’s Big Fish (2003) and Firecracker (2004) as well as in an episode of the series Carnivale.

Cathy Stiles