A comparative anatomy of the lingual apparatus of Indian doves (genus: Streptopelia and Stigmatopelia), Aves: Columbidae

Abstract Background The structure of the lingua of birds frequently gives some clue to the principal diet and manner of feeding of the species. The lingua is suitably modified for this purpose or does not intent the present work to understand it. The anatomical details of the lingual apparatus and their associated epidermal, musculature, and osteological elements of Indian doves (Aves: Columbidae) Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) and laughing dove (Stigmatopelia senegalensis) with comparison are lacking in the literature. Results A total of eight (n = 8/species) freshly preserved adult specimens with natural mortalities from Central Saurashtra, Western India, were examined. All the morphological features of species were observed in living as well as in preserved with the help of a pair of binoculars in the field and in the laboratory with stereo zoom dissecting microscope and camera lucida which are used for illustrations. The anatomical study includes the epidermal structures of the buccal region, lingua, apparatus hyobranchialis, and lingual muscles in relation to feeding behaviors and food. All these aspects are correlated with the food habits and finally with the muscles which bring about the suitable movements of the lingua. Conclusion The lingua in Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) and laughing dove (Stigmatopelia senegalensis) studied here does not exhibit any wide variations in appearance as such. Although the comparison between the two dove species is reflected, a relation in diverse food habits and all the morphological variables do not reflect allometric consequences of selection on body size. Finally, the assumption appears intuitively right between morphology, food habits, and variable size of the food items and clears various microhabitat choices in adverse conditions.