Jaw Musculature of the Mourning and White-winged Doves

“Jaw Musculature of the Mourning and White-winged Doves” by Robert L. Merz is a scientific publication written in the early 1960s. The book focuses on the anatomical study of the jaw musculature in two species of doves, the Mourning Dove (“Zenaidura macroura”) and the White-winged Dove (“Zenaida asiatica”). It aims to contribute to the understanding of the evolutionary relationships between these species by analyzing their musculature and cranial structures. The publication provides a detailed examination of the jaw muscles of the selected doves, comparing their anatomical structures and functions. Merz dissects and measures specimens to highlight similarities and differences in jaw musculature that may indicate evolutionary relationships. The findings reveal that while there are slight variations, especially in the size of certain muscles like the “M. pseudotemporalis profundus”, both species exhibit a general homogeneity in their anatomical features. The study also suggests that the differences in jaw musculature may correlate to differences in feeding habits, such as the White-winged Dove’s adaptation for nectar-feeding, hinting at deeper evolutionary connections between the genera. This work concludes by advocating for the potential reclassification of the Mourning Dove within the genus “Zenaida”, based on the anatomical and functional similarities identified.