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 exploration into the jaw muscles of two dove species, aiming to unravel their evolutionary connections. Through meticulous dissection and comparison, the study reveals that the Mourning Dove and White-winged Dove share a fundamental similarity in their jaw muscle structures, with minor differences possibly linking to diverse feeding habits, such as nectar consumption among White-winged Doves. Highlighting specific muscle variations, like the size of the "M. pseudotemporalis profundus", the book suggests a close evolutionary relationship between the species, proposing a potential reclassification of the Mourning Dove to reflect these anatomical similarities and challenge existing classifications.