Suctorial Explained

Suctorial pertains to the adaptation for sucking or suction,^[1] as possessed by marine parasites such as the Cookiecutter shark,^[2] specifically in a specialised lip organ enabling attachment to the host.

Suctorial organs of a different form are possessed by the Solifugae arachnids, enabling the climbing of smooth, vertical surfaces.^[3]

Another variation on the suctorial organ can be found as part of the glossa proboscis of Masarinae (pollen wasps), enabling nectar feeding from the deep and narrow corolla of flowers.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Dictionary.com, "suctorial," in Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Published by Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/suctorial. Accessed: February 09, 2009
2. Web site: Megamouth Shark- Parasites. Carol Martins & Craig Knickle. Florida Museum of Natural History. 2009-02-09.
3. Cushinga, P.E. . Jack O. Brookharta . Hans-Joachim Kleebeb . Gary Zitob . Peter Payne. 2005. The suctorial organ of the Solifugae. Arthropod Structure & Development. 34. 4. 397–406. 10.1016/j.asd.2005.02.002. P.
4. Krenn, H.W. . Volker Mauss . John Plant. 2002. Evolution of the suctorial proboscis in pollen wasps. Arthropod Structure & Development . 31. 2. 103–120. 10.1016/S1467-8039(02)00025-7. H . 18088974.