The importance of catfish burrows in maintaining fish populations of tropical freshwater streams in western Ecuador

Resumen

Observations are reported on one of the apparent functions of catfish burrows in rainforest tributaries of western Ecuador. These burrows may provide resident stream fishes with a refuge, or residual habitat, in which they may survive, while conditions in their usual habitat may be too severe to support life. These catfish bur- rows may also provide points of stream re-population after rainy season conditions restore the physical status of the forest streams or pools to their original full or free- flowing conditions.