Record of possible hybrid of Columbina squammata - Lesson, 1831, with Columbina talpacoti - Temminck, 1811(Columbiformes: Columbidae) in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Abstract

Hybridity can be considered, although controversial, a step in the evolutionary process and even of natural selection, considering the condition that individuals from it from two taxa are fertile or semi-fertile (PEREIRA, 2014). Several species of birds described in the world today are considered invalid by experts because they believe, or prove, that these are hybrid forms (CROZARIOL; INDIANI, 2010). COCKRUM (1952) reviewed the bird hybrids described for Mexico to North America. In Brazil, there are reports of hybridisms in Columbidae, which occurred in captivity, between the species Patagioenas picazuro and P. cayennensis (CROZARIOL; INDIANI, 2010). Which reinforces our observational hypothesis. In September 2013 was photographed a peculiar specimen of Columbina squammata (turtledove-fire-extinguished) among individuals of the same species and Columbina talpacoti (purple turtledove) in the city of Aparecida de Goiânia - Goiás. The observed specimen has characteristics of the two species listed above (Figure 1). Dominant reddish-brown feathers throughout the animal, apparently a female, since there is no difference in coloration in the head, characteristic of the species C. talpacoti, however, its plumage has a scaled pattern identical to C. squammata. We cannot truthfully say that the specimen is a hybrid because laboratory tests were not carried out, only photographic records. However, the behavior of the animal accompanied by its color distribution may give us some clues, since the specimen was with a flock of C. squammata. This type of record is very important for promoting avifauna research, as well as assisting suspicious identifications in museums or the field.