The biology and relationships of the Torrent Duck

Abstract

On the basis of field observations of five of the six described forms of Torrent Ducks, it is concluded that only a single species of Merganetta should be recognized, and that probably no more than three sub-species exist, armata armata, colombiana and leucogenis; turneri, garleppi and berlepschi are believed to represent variants of leucogenis. The genus Merganetta should either be placed in the perching duck tribe Cairinini or given separate tribal status and placed adjacent to the Cairinini.