A muscular oral valve unique in fishes

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Abstract
In certain loricarid catfishes, the peculiar location of the maxillary valve prevents apposition of its edge against the inside of the mandible. Therefore oral occlusion by the action of hydrostatic pressure on membranous valves is not possible in these catfishes, as it is in other fishes. Instead, the mouth is rhythmically closed during gill irrigation by a pair of striated muscles inserted on the lateral edges of the maxillary valve. There are no antagonistic muscles for opening the valve; opening is by elastic recoil of the valve. Excessive opening is prevented partly by mechanical pressure against a median swelling of skin anterior to the valve. During respiratory stress, the oral valve also acts as a baling organ.

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