The Sulae suborder is made up of unique birds, one of which is the Comorant. Comorants are a rather ancient group of birds. Their existence can be traced back to the time when dinosaurs existed. The comorant has many features that are similar to those of the the oldest bird in history – the Gansus yumenensis.

Evolution of Sulae

Few people know about the evolutionary path of the comorant. The techniques used to explain distribution of this bird are not always conclusive in terms of the clue they give. Nevertheless, there is a wealth of information on the relationships between this species and many others. Although there is abundant information regarding the biogeography of this bird, many questions remain unanswered as far as its evolution is concerned.

In terms of modern diversity, one cannot help noticing that this comorant, which has a Godwanan type of distribution, has many relationships with boobies, gannets and darters. The biodiversity of the Sulae suborder members seems to have originated in the southern hemisphere.

The Sulae suborder members belong to the order known as Pelecaniformes. All birds that belong to this order are medium-sized. They are found all over the world. Many people mistakenly define members of this order as having four webbed toes. One important thing to note about members of this order is that they breathe through their mouth since their nostrils have evolved in such a way that they have become dysfunctional.

Feeding patterns of Sulae

The birds in this suborder feed on squid, fish, crustaceans and other forms of marine life. They build nests in colonies. Comorant’s young ones are completely dependent on their parents for survival. They are born naked, helpless and have no brood patch.

Recent researches

According to recent studies, almost all members of Sulae suborder share similar features because of convergent evolution. Many scientists often express dissatisfaction with the current classification that is made on members of the Pelecaniformes order. They say that members of this order are paraphylectic since the shared features result from convergent evolution rather than common ancestry.

The end of Cretaceous seems to have been the one that marked the beginning of the pelecaniformes’ lineage. Whether these birds are actually monophylectic or not, they seem to have belonged at one time in the past to a very close-knit group that scientists prefer to call higher waterbirds. Fossil bones tell it all.

The classification of Sulae

The suborder Sulae, or Sulides, as it is referred to in order sources consists of four main families which together form the Phalacrocoraciformes. These include the Sulidae, The Phalacrocoracidae, the shags and cormorants and Anhingidae.

The Sulidae family consists of boobies and gannets. These are medium-sized birds, which like hunting by plunge diving. They have short wings and bills. Their feet are colored. Similarly, the Phalacrocoracidae members love plunge-diving. They have hooked bills. They are usually black and its plumage is often equally dark. Shags and comorants are very closely related birds. They share the same ancestry as darters. The Anhingidae family is extinct.