Resources related to Biology

Phylogeny and Evolutionary Ecology of Modern Sea ducks Anatidae: Mergini

The Condor 97:233-255 The Cooper Ornithological Society 1995
Abstract. Phylogenetic relationships of modem seaducks (Me&i) were investigated
using a cladistic analysis of 137 morphological characters. The analysis produced a single
tree (consistency index = 0.692, excluding autapomorphies) with complete resolution of the
relationships among the 25 taxa recognized. Phylogenetic inferences include: (1) the eiders
(Polysticta and Somateria) constitute a monophyletic group and are the sister-group of other

Sea Duck Information Series - Black Scoter -(Melanitta nigra)

Generally, black scoters breed near shallow tundra lakes in Alaska, or tundra and taiga (boreal forest) lakes in eastern Canada. They winter in near-shore marine and estuarine areas, and to a lesser extent in the Great Lakes.
As with other sea ducks, black scoters are believed to reach sexual maturity when they are two or three years old.The diet of black scoters at sea is predominantly mollusks (e.g., mussels and clams), but also crustaceans (e.g., snails, periwinkles), limpets, barnacles, and vegetation.

Behaviour and Ecology of Sea Ducks

Sea Ducks have been marginalized in Waterfowl conservation and management programs as most attention has been focused on the "sport ducks" notably mallards. In fact much of our understanding of the demography and harvest of ducks is based on the mallard model. Preceived lack of interest in the Sea Ducks had led to liberal management of this group. Large harvests in Southern areas and intense subsistence use in the North have proved a dangerous combination.

Atlantic Seaduck Project

The Atlantic Seaduck Project is being conducted to learn more about the breeding and molting areas of seaducks in northern Canada and more about the feeding ecology of seaducks on wintering areas, especially Chesapeake Bay. Satellite telemetry is being used to track surf scoters wintering in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, and black scoters on migrational staging areas in New Brunswick, Canada, to breeding and molting areas in northern Canada

Pages