The freshwater fishes of western Ecuador

Includes bibliographical references.Includes illustrations and maps.The freshwater fish fauna of western Ecuador is comprehensively examined, and includes seventy-one species of primary and secondary freshwater fishes. Included in this faunal examination are full synonymies for each species, complete descriptions and distributional data. The geography, paleogeography and zoogeographic patterns of the western Ecuadorian fish fauna are examined and compared to overall zoogeographic patterns throughout South America. The different types of aquatic habitats found in western Ecuador are also discussed. Keys to the families, genera and species of the freshwater fishes of western Ecuador are offered.M.S. (Master of Science