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 genusZenaida, which includes the White-winged and Zenaida doves, andthe genus Zenaidura, which includes the Mourning, Eared, andSocorro doves (Peters, 1937:83-88), are closely related, perhapsmore closely than is indicated by separating the several speciesinto two genera. It is the purpose of this paper to report investigationson the musculature of the jaw of doves with the hope that,together with the results of other studies, the relationships of thegenera Zenaida and Zenaidura can be elucidated.
In order to determine in each species the normal pattern of musculatureof the jaws, heads of 13 specimens of doves were dissected (all material is inthe Museum of Natural History of The University of Kansas): White-wingedDoves (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 Historyof The University of Kansas and two skulls from the United States NationalMuseum were measured. The measurements are on file in the Library of TheUniversity of Kansas in a dissertation deposited there by me in 1963 in partialfulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Zoology. Specimensused 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 Dovesmentioned above were measured. All measurements were made with a dialcaliper and read to tenths of a millimeter.
My appreciation is extended to Professor Richard F. Johnston, who advisedme during the course of this study, and to Professors A. Byron Leonard andTheodore H. Eaton for critically reading the manuscript.
I would like also to acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Robert M. Mengeland Mr. Jon C. Barlow for suggestions on procedure, and Mr. William C.Stanley, who contributed specimens of Mourning Doves for study. Mr. Thomas[Pg 524]H. Swearingen offered considerable advice on production of drawings andProfessor E. Raymond Hall suggested the proper layout of the same and gaveeditorial