Didunculus

Tooth-billed pigeons
Live specimen of Didunculus strigirostris in 1901
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Didunculus
Jardine, 1845[a]
Species

Two species, see article

Synonyms

Gnathodon Jardine, 1845 (not G.B.Sowerby I, 1832)

The tooth-billed pigeons are the only genus (Didunculus) of the subfamily Didunculinae, in the pigeon and dove family, (Columbidae). It has no close living relatives, but it has been shown to be genetically close to the dodo,[2] and the genus name Didunculus means "little dodo".[3] The jaw and tongue structure, and the superficially parrotlike bill have suggested a relationship to the parrots, but these features have arisen from its specialised diet rather than any real relationship.

  1. ^ Bruce, M.D.; Bahr, N. (2020). "The discovery and naming of the remarkable Tooth-billed Pigeon Didunculus strigirostris bebefolis of Samoa and the history of the reception, attempted suppression and acceptance of Titian Peale's report on the mammals and birds of the United States Exploring Expedition 1838–1842 (1849), with a summary of the status of Peale's new species" (PDF). Sherbornia. 6 (1): 1–42.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Shapiro et al. 2002 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rauzon 2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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