Biochemical identification of the mallard, Anas platyrhynchos, and black duck, A. rubripes

1. Eleven tissue systems from mallards and black ducks were examined for soluble proteins, lactate dehydrogenases and non-specific esterases through discontinuous polyacrylamide techniques.

2. Biochemical relationships between the black duck and mallard are extremely similar.

3. Hemoglobins and lactate dehydrogenase appear to be common in electrophoretic mobility between the two species.

4. Approximately 89% of the soluble proteins and 58% of the non-specific esterases are common among the two species, indicating both biochemical similarity at the genus level and species-specificity.