Geographic Variation and Taxonomy of the Spinifex Pigeon, Geophaps Plumifera.

Abstract

Geographical variation in 12 characters in G, plumifera was examined statistically. Three subspecies are recognized: a brown-bellied western subspecies. G. plumifera ferruginea; a north-western white- bellied subspecies, G.p. plumifera; and a central-eastern white-bellied subspecies, G.p. leucogaster. A hybrid zone between G.p. ferruginea and G.p. plumifera was discerned in the western Kimberley; clinal variation observed in several characters was interpreted as being due to gene flow between the three groups, particularly between G.p.ferruginea and the other two. The sexes could be discriminated by size (males larger than females) or size and colour but not by colour alone.