A molecular phylogeny of the dove genera Streptopella and Columba

Evolutionary history of the dove genus Streptopelia has not been examined w ith rigorous phylogenetic methods. We present a study of phylogenetic relat ionships of Streptopelia based on over 3,600 base pairs of nuclear and mito chondrial gone sequences. To test for monophyly of Streptopelia, we used se veral other columbiform taxa, including Columba (Old and New World), Macrop ygia, Reinwardtoena, and the enigmatic Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri). On th e basis of our analyses, Streptopelia (as currently defined) is not monophy letic; Nesoenas mayeri is the sister species to S. picturata, resulting in paraphyly of Streptopelia. Three main clades of Streptopelia are identified : (1) S. chinensis plus S. senegalensis, (2) S. picturata plus Nesoenas May eri, and (3) all other species of Streptopelia. It is unclear whether those clades form a monophyletic group to the exclusion of Old World Columba, bu t several analyses produce that result. Species of Old World Columba are cl osely related to Streptopelia, with species of Now World Columba clustering outside that group. Taxonomic changes suggested by our results include mer ging Nesoenas with Streptopelia and changing the generic name for Now World Columba species to Patagioenas. Vocal similarities between S. picturata an d N. mayeri are striking, given the general diversity of vocalizations in o ther species.