Postcranial Osteology of the Waterfowl

Abstract

Postcranial osteology of nearly all the genera of waterfowl of the world is described. On the basis of this study certain changes in the classification within the order are proposed. In comparison with the most recent classification of the waterfowl that of Delacour, the following changes are proposed: Anseranas is placed in a monotypic family; Stictonetta is removed from the Anatini and placed tentatively in the Dendrocygnini of the Anserinae; Cereopsis is moved from the Tadornini to a monotypic tribe of the Anserinae; Plectropterus is moved from the Cairinini to the Tadornini; Tachyeres is moved from the Tadornini to the Anatini; the tribe Cairinini is merged with the Anatini; Merganetta is moved from the Anatini to a monotypic tribe; Rhodonessa is moved from the Anatini to the Aythyini; the tribe Somateriini is merged with the Mergini. The following genera are resurrected: Olor, Nesochen, Cattonetta, Pteronetta, Metopiana, Mergellus, Lophodytes, and Nomonyx, and, tentatively, Asarcornis and Salvadorina.