Separation in the field of White-fronted and Grey-fronted Doves (Leptotila verreauxi and Leptotila rufaxilla)
1982; Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig - Leibnitz Institute for Animal Biodiversity (ZFMK), Bonn; Volume: 33; Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
0006-7172
Autores Tópico(s)Scarabaeidae Beetle Taxonomy and Biogeography
ResumoAmong neotropical pigeons and doves, Leptotila as a group, are easily identified. General habits and external appearance clearly separate this genus from other similar American Columbidae, such as pigeons {Columba), ground doves (Columbigallina = Columbina) and quail doves (Geotrygon), although Leptotila seem to be most closely related to this latter genus of neotropical doves. Inter-specific relationships within this group of doves, has been up-dated and discussed by Goodwin (1977), who divided the genus into three subgroups: L. verreauxi and L. megaJura; L. rufaxilla, L. plumbeiceps, L. pallida, L. wellsi and L. Jamaicensis; L. Cassini, L. ochraceiventris and L. conoveri. These 10 forms are now usually treated as full species on the present knowledge of their relationships, based upon call analyzations, ecology, breeding and general behaviour.Among the 10 species of the genus, external characters are very similar and colour differences are mostly subtle. Therefore, separation in the field of sympatric Leptotila doves is always difficult. Most Leptotila except both species under discussion, have a restricted distribution, although the genus is widespread in tropical America, from southern United States in North America throughout Central America and some Caribbean islands to eastern Argentina in South America. However, further information on distribution ranges and habitat are needed to establish the exact limits of possible super-species or to clarify sympatry or allopatry within the entire genus. This paper presents keys to facilitate separation in the field of L. verreauxi and L. rufaxilla. Mistnetted doves are identified in the hand without any difficulty. With the keys, observations with 7 x 35 to 10 x 50 binoculars under optimal light conditions and at a reasonable distance, allow to identify correctly both species. Especially incubating or brooding doves make possible an ideal obervation of the most important external charac
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