New genetic analysis of the world’s only remaining specimen of the Spotted Green Pigeon shows that it is a separate species, closely related to the Nicobar pigeon and the extinct dodo. (Image credit: Joseph Smit, World Museum)
DNA analysis has shed light on the origins of the mysterious spotted green pigeon, of which only one stuffed specimen remains. The specimen is held by the World Museum in Liverpool UK, but there is no record of where the pigeon was found, nor are there any records of sightings in the wild.
DNA barcoding has now revealed that it is related to, but distinct from, the Nicobar pigeon which is known to hop between several Indonesian islands. It’s also related to the dodo and the Rodrigues solitaire, two extinct birds from islands near Madagascar.
Original research paper published in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology on July 15, 2014.
Names and affiliations of selected authors
