Mitochondrial DNA and morphological variation of White-winged Doves in Texas

White-winged Doves (Zenaida asiatica) in Texas are separated into four subs pecies primarily based on morphological variation. However, problems differ entiating the subspecies by morphological measurements alone and a recent r ange expansion have led to questions about their systematic status and popu lation structure. We evaluated both morphological characters and a 289 base -pair segment of the mitochondrial control region from 183 White-winged Dov es taken from 31 locations in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Twenty-seven variable base changes were observed, which resulted in 44 haplotypes. An an alysis of haplotypes yielded little phylogenetic signal; however, analyses of haplotype frequencies indicated geographic heterogeneity between doves c ollected in the four historic subspecies ranges. Doves from the range expan sion areas were intermediate in size and genetically homogenous. Morphologi cal analyses suggested congruency between control region variation and body size. Our data support the recognition of two subspecies of White-winged D oves with a zone of intergradation in the range expansion areas. The disper sal of White-winged Doves into the expansion areas appears to be a congruen t process by both subspecies.