Phenotypic variation in eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto Frivaldszky) in Durango, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the phenotypic variation of six external somatic variables (head length, beak, culmen, tarsal-metatarsal, wing and tail) in Eurasian Collared Dove.

Design/methodology/approach: Head, beak, culmen, tarsal-metatarsal, wing and tail lengths were measured in Eurasian Collared Dove (n = 40). Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric analysis (z ? 1.96) and Guillaumin profiles were used to determine the influence of sex on each variable. The principal component analysis determined the degree of influence of each variable on the phenotypic variation of each variable.

Results: The size of the structures analyzed were different between males and females. The tarsal-metatarsal, head and wing length were structures whose coefficient of variation was lower in both sexes (P ? 0.05). The principal component analysis explained from three components, 72.77% of the morphological variation.

Limitations on study/implications: In the literature review, little information was found describing the morphological variation of birds (Streptopelia decaocto) in colonized and non-colonized environments.

Findings/conclusions: The variables that present the greatest variation among individuals have a corneal component.