Jaw Musculature of the Mourning and White-winged Doves

This paper explores the jaw musculature of two closely related dove species, the Mourning Dove and the White‑winged Dove, aiming to shed light on the longstanding question of how the genera Zenaida and Zenaidura are connected. By dissecting heads and measuring skulls from museum collections, the author builds a detailed anatomical picture that goes beyond earlier, more superficial comparisons. The study sets the stage for a deeper understanding of dove evolution and classification.

Using thirteen dissected specimens and dozens of skull measurements taken with precision calipers, the research documents the surprisingly modest muscle mass that characterizes these birds’ mandibles. Because doves primarily pick up loose seeds and twigs rather than crush hard foods, their jaw muscles lack the robust development seen in seed‑crushing species like the hawfinch. These anatomical clues suggest that functional feeding habits, rather than high‑level genetic divergence, may explain many of the subtle differences between the two genera.