Jaw Musculature of the Mourning and White-winged Doves

University of Kansas Publications Museum of Natural History Volume 12, No. 12, pp. 521-551, 22 figs. October 25, 1963
BY ROBERT L. MERZ
University of Kansas Lawrence 1963
University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History Editors: E. Raymond Hall, Chairman, Henry S. Fitch, Theodore H. Eaton, Jr. Volume 12, No. 12, pp. 521-551, 22 figs. Published October 25, 1963 University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas PRINTED BY JEAN M. NEIBARGER, STATE PRINTER TOPEKA, KANSAS 1963 29-7865

BY ROBERT L. MERZ
For some time many investigators have thought that the genus Zenaida , which includes the White-winged and Zenaida doves, and the genus Zenaidura , which includes the Mourning, Eared, and Socorro doves (Peters, 1937:83-88), are closely related, perhaps more closely than is indicated by separating the several species into two genera. It is the purpose of this paper to report investigations on the musculature of the jaw of doves with the hope that, together with the results of other studies, the relationships of the genera Zenaida and Zenaidura can be elucidated.
In order to determine in each species the normal pattern of musculature of the jaws, heads of 13 specimens of doves were dissected (all material is in the Museum of Natural History of The University of Kansas): White-winged Doves ( Zenaida asiatica ), 40323, 40324, 40328, 40392, 40393; Zenaida Doves ( Z. aurita ), 40399, 40400; Mourning Doves ( Zenaidura macroura ), 40326, 40394, 40395, 40396, 40397, 40398.
Thirty-seven skulls from the collection of the Museum of Natural History of The University of Kansas and two skulls from the United States National Museum were measured. The measurements are on file in the Library of The University of Kansas in a dissertation deposited there by me in 1963 in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Zoology. Specimens used were: White-winged Doves, KU 19141, 19142, 19143, 19144, 19145, 19146, 19147, 23138, 23139, 24337, 24339, 24341, 23592, 23593, 24340, 31025, 31276; Mourning Doves, KU 14018, 14781, 15347, 15533, 15547, 15550, 15662, 15778, 15872, 16466, 17782, 17786, 17788, 17795, 19153, 19242, 20321, 21669, 22394, 22715; Eared Doves ( Zenaidura auriculata ), USNM 227496, 318381. Additionally, the skulls of the Zenaida Doves mentioned above were measured. All measurements were made with a dial caliper and read to tenths of a millimeter.