Gouania (fish)
Gouania is a genus of clingfishes endemic to the Mediterranean Sea that contains at least 5 cryptobenthic species. The members of this genus are the only vertebrates to inhabit European intertidal gravel beaches and they have developed many adaptations to survive in this extremely harsh environment. They are a type of Clingfish meaning they form part of the family Gobiesocidae. All species of clingfish have a thoracic adhesive disc that allows them to hold on to both smooth and rough surfaces alike. This adaptation enables Gouania to survive the harsh conditions of gravel beaches, they are amongst the only fish taxa adapted to this habitat. Formerly, the genus was considered to be a monotypic genus containing the blunt-snouted clingfish, however a 2020 study described three new species and resurrected a synonym of G. willdenowi (G. pigra). Etymology The genus is named for the French botanist Antoine Gouan (1733-1821). Habitat Gouania inhabit the interstitial part of gravel beaches, meaning that they live within the sediment. This demanding intertidal environment supposes extreme conditions such as mechanical stress from waves, desiccation from tides, and anthropogenic activity from tourism. Gouania have passive amphibious emergence behavior which is a common adaptation to desiccation in intertidal