Abstract
A prominent transverse groove is present on the snout of the adult sucking loach, Gyrinocheilus aymonieri. It is absent in juveniles. The groove is formed by fibrous thickenings of the dermis that create skin folds at its anterior and posterior margins. It accommodates movement of the joint between the maxillae and the neurocranium. The anterior fibrous thickening also provides anchorage for fibrous strands that partition dermal mucochondroid in the upper lip of the oral sucker into distinct segments. This structure forms a buffer that protects the delicate premaxillary bones when fish probe the substrate for food.
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