 In 2002 , American geneticist Beth Shapiro and colleagues analysed the DNA of the dodo and the Rodrigues solitaire for the first time . Comparison of mitochondrial cytochrome b and 12S rRNA sequences isolated from the femur of a Rodrigues solitaire and the tarsal of a dodo confirmed their close relationship and their placement within the Columbidae . The genetic evidence was interpreted as showing the Southeast Asian Nicobar pigeon ( Caloenas nicobarica ) to be their closest living relative , followed by the crowned pigeons ( Goura ) of New Guinea , and the superficially dodo @-@ like tooth @-@ billed pigeon ( Didunculus <unk> ) from Samoa . This clade consists of generally ground @-@ dwelling island endemic pigeons . The following cladogram shows the closest relationships of the dodo and the Rodrigues solitaire within Columbidae , based on Shapiro et. al , 2002 : 
