taxonID	type	description	language	source
681A1027FFEEFFD7FF7BFCACFA3DFD80.taxon	description	The checklist includes 13 species of Gobiesocidae currently known from the Mediterranean Sea (Table 1). All species listed have been verified according to criterion 1) of Kovačić et al. (2020): documentation in a scientific publication with supporting morphological or genetic evidence, and associated specimen (s) deposited in a collection (Table 1).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFE1FFDEFF7BFF31FC31FD97.taxon	description	Description. Body moderately depressed anteriorly, posteriorly laterally compressed. Head wider than body, depressed, more or less triangular in dorsal outline. Anterior nostril usually with a very small dermal flap attached to the posterior margin; posterior nostril above or behind anterior edge of eye. Upper jaw with 2 incisors frontally on each side, 1 – 3 caniniform teeth laterally, followed by small conical teeth behind. Lower jaw with 2 – 3 incisors frontally on each side, 1 – 3 caniniform laterally, followed by small conical teeth, caniniforms prominent in males, less distinct in females and juveniles. The cephalic sensory canals: nasal canal with 2 pores, postorbital canal with 2 pores, lachrymal canal with 3 pores, preopercular canal with 3 pores and mandibular canal with no pores. No subopercular spine. Head length 2.5 – 2.9 in SL, body depth 5.5 – 6.1 in SL, sucking disc length 3.6 – 4.8 in SL, distance between anus and the origin of anal fin 1.3 – 2.3 in anal fin length, caudal peduncle depth 1.2 – 1.6 in caudal peduncle length. Dorsal fin 5 – 6 rays, anal fin 5 – 7, pectoral fin 21 – 24 rays, caudal fin 10 – 11 principal rays. The upper attachment of the gill membrane is situated opposite 3 rd – 5 th pectoral ray, the upper attachment of the axial, dermal flap opposite 10 th – 14 th pectoral ray. Sucking disc rows of papillae: region A 4 – 5 rows, region B 5 – 7 rows, region C 3 – 5 rows, lateral row of papillae present on both sides of the central part of the anterior half of the disc from papillae at anterior disc region A to papillae at central disc region C. Anus located little closer to anal fin origin position than rear margin of disc.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFE1FFDEFF7BFF31FC31FD97.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The morphological data presented by Briggs (1955) are based on specimens identified therein as Apletodon microcephalus (Brook, 1890).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFE1FFDEFF7BFF31FC31FD97.taxon	description	Coloration. Color in life variable and depending on habitat: rose, reddish-spotted, reddish brown, or olive green. In alcohol, pale with no visible pigmentation (Fig. 13) (Hofrichter & Patzner 2000).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFE1FFDEFF7BFF31FC31FD97.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. In Mediterranean occurs at depths between 0.5 and 9 m, at the border of rocky ground and phytal zones with brown algae and seagrass, within Cystoseira spp. forests and Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows (Hofrichter & Patzner 1997; Brandl et al. 2011; Trkov et al. 2021).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFE1FFDEFF7BFF31FC31FD97.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Eastern Atlantic (from Scotland in the north to Morocco in the south), the Mediterranean Sea (north and east: from Balearic Islands to the Aegean Sea and Cyprus; southwest: Algeria) and the Black Sea (western and southern coasts) (Brandl et al. 2011; Gerovasileiou et al. 2020).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFE0FFDDFF7BF8D8FB29FB12.taxon	description	Description. Body moderately depressed anteriorly, posteriorly laterally compressed. Head wider than body, depressed, more or less triangular in dorsal outline. Anterior nostril about twice as long as the posterior nostril, posterior nostril located just behind the anterior edge of the eyes. Upper jaw with 1 - 2 incisors frontally on each side, single larger and single smaller caniniform teeth laterally, followed by small conical teeth behind. Lower jaw with 2 – 3 incisors frontally on each side, single caniniform laterally, followed by small conical teeth, caniniforms prominent in males, less distinct in females and juveniles. The cephalic sensory canals: nasal canal with 2 pores, postorbital canal with 2 pores, lachrymal canal with 3 pores, preopercular canal with 3 pores and mandibular canal with 3 pores. No subopercular spine. Head length 2.2 – 2.7 in SL, eye diameter 3.9 – 4.9 in head length, snout length 2.7 – 3.4 in head length, body depth 5.3 – 6.7 in SL, sucking disc length 3.3 – 4.7 in SL, distance between anus and the origin of anal fin 1.0 – 1.7 in anal fin length, caudal peduncle depth 1.0 – 1.2 in caudal peduncle length. Dorsal fin 4 – 6 rays, anal fin 4 – 6 rays, pectoral fin 18 – 22 rays, caudal fin 13 – 16 principal rays. The upper attachment of the gill membrane is situated opposite 3 rd – 5 th pectoral ray, the upper attachment of the axial, dermal flap opposite 10 th – 11 th pectoral ray. Sucking disc rows of papillae: region A 4 – 6 rows, region B 6 – 8 rows, region C 3 – 5 rows, lateral row of papillae presents on both sides of the central part of the anterior half of the disc from papillae at anterior disc region A to papillae at central disc region C. Anus located closer to anal fin origin position than rear margin of disc. Coloration. Color in life (Fig. 14 b) brownish with various reddish and darker brownish shades forming irregular patterns; individuals may also appear rose colored (Hofrichter & Patzner 1997). Some individuals with a pale cross-band between the eyes. In alcohol, pale with no visible pigmentation (Fig. 14 a).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFE0FFDDFF7BF8D8FB29FB12.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. Occurs at depths of 1.5 – 54 m, hidden under stones covered with red calcareous algae and in empty mussels and oyster shells, on living Pinna nobilis, in Cymodocea and Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, and also on maerl, coarse gravel, and sand with rhodoliths. Juveniles are often associated with sea urchins (Hofrichter & Patzner 1997; Bilecenoğlu & Kaya 2006; Kovačić & Schembri 2019; Trkov et al. 2021).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFE0FFDDFF7BF8D8FB29FB12.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Eastern Atlantic (Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands), northern Mediterranean Sea (southern continental France, Balearic Islands, Elba, Corsica, Malta, Adriatic), and the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Antalya Bay) (Hofrichter & Patzner 1997; Bilecenoğlu & Kaya 2006; Kovačić & Schembri 2019).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFE3FFC3FF7BFAE4FF41FE23.taxon	description	Description. Body moderately depressed anteriorly, posteriorly laterally compressed. Head wider than body, depressed, in dorsal outline more or less triangular, but snout short and rounded to triangular. Anterior nostril usually with a very small, simple, dermal flap projecting from its posterior margin, but occasionally flap is absent. Posterior nostril above or just behind anterior edge of eye. Both jaws with small conical teeth and no caniniform teeth. The cephalic sensory canals: nasal canal with 2 pores, postorbital canal with 2 pores, lachrymal canal with 2 pores, preopercular canal with 3 pores and mandibular canal without pores. No subopercular spine. Head length 2.4 – 3.1 in SL, eye diameter 3.2 – 5.7 in head length, snout length 3.3 – 3.8 in head length, body depth 4.9 – 6.8 in SL, sucking disc length 3.4 – 4.3 in SL, distance between anus and the origin of anal fin 0.8 – 1.2 in anal fin length, caudal peduncle depth 1.2 – 1.5 in caudal peduncle length. Dorsal fin 5 – 7 rays, anal fin 4 – 6 rays, pectoral fin 21 – 25 rays, caudal fin 9 – 10 principal rays. The upper attachment of the gill membrane is situated opposite 2 th – 5 th pectoral ray, the upper attachment of the axial, dermal flap opposite 10 th – 12 th pectoral ray. Sucking disc rows of papillae: region A 4 – 5 rows, region B 5 – 6 rows, region C 3 rows, no lateral papillae rows exist on both sides of the central portion of the sucking disk between papillae at anterior disc region A and papillae at central disc region C. Anus located about midway between rear margin of sucking disc and anal fin origin. Coloration. Color in life variable and depending on habitat: pale to whitish, reddish to purple-red (Fig. 15 b) (Briggs 1986; Hofrichter & Patzner 2000). A large red spot often present on body behind pectoral fin. In alcohol, pale with no visible pigmentation (Fig. 15 a).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFE3FFC3FF7BFAE4FF41FE23.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. Occurs at depths of 1 – 200 m, reported from coralligenous grounds, rocky substrates, under empty shells on sandy bottom, under man-made flat pieces of white marble (Hofrichter & Patzner 2000; Yapici et al. 2018).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFE3FFC3FF7BFAE4FF41FE23.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Eastern Atlantic (from Trondheim, Norway in the north to Gibraltar in the south, and Madeira), the northern Mediterranean from Gibraltar to the southern Aegean Sea, the Sea of Marmara, the Black Sea, and the southwestern Mediterranean in Algeria (Briggs 1986; Wirtz et al. 2008; Yapici et al. 2018; Gerovasileiou et al. 2020).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFDFFC2FF7BFE34FE31FD67.taxon	description	Description. Body moderately depressed anteriorly, posteriorly slightly laterally compressed. Head wider than body, depressed, in dorsal outline more or less triangular, but snout short and rounded. Anterior nostril more than twice as long as the posterior nostril and with no dermal flap, posterior nostril located just behind the anterior edge of the eyes. Both jaws with no caniniform teeth. The cephalic sensory canals: nasal canal with 2 pores, postorbital canal with 2 pores, lachrymal canal with 2 pores, preopercular canal with 3 pores and mandibular canal without pores. No subopercular spine. Head length 3.1 – 3.2 in SL, eye diameter 2.7 – 3.7 in head length, snout length 3.8 – 6.1 in head length, body depth in SL no data, sucking disc length 4.2 – 4.7 in SL, distance between anus and the origin of anal fin 0.4 – 0.5 in anal fin length (ratio from Bilecenoğlu et al. 2017 inversed to match data of other species), caudal peduncle depth 0.8 – 1.0 in caudal peduncle length. Dorsal fin 5 – 6 rays, anal fin 4 – 5 rays, pectoral fin 22 – 25 rays, caudal fin 12 – 13 principal rays. The upper attachment of the gill membrane is situated opposite 7 th – 8 th pectoral ray, the upper attachment of the axial, dermal flap opposite 10 th – 14 th pectoral ray. Sucking disc rows of papillae: region A 4 – 6 rows, region B 5 – 7 rows, region C 3 – 4 rows, no lateral papillae rows exist on both sides of the central portion of the sucking disk between papillae at anterior disc region A and papillae at central disc region C. Anus located closer to rear margin of sucking disc than to anal fin. Coloration. Color in life purple-red to light brown, with whitish to bluish minute spots that are more distinct ventrally (Fig. 16 b) (Bilecenoğlu et al. 2017). A pale cross-band is present on the head at the interorbital region; the ventrally is yellowish, as is the anterior part of the sucking disk. Males with a red to dark brown ocellus beneath the lower part of the pectoral fin, encircled by a complete pale band. Preserved specimens uniformly pale, with minute dark chromatophores visible only under a stereomicroscope and with hyaline fins, although some individuals retain a reddish pattern in alcohol for years (Fig. 16 a).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFDFFC2FF7BFE34FE31FD67.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. Occurs at depths of 0.3 – 20 m, in pebbles field and coarse shell grit near Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows (Bilecenoğlu et al. 2017).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFDFFC2FF7BFE34FE31FD67.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Based on published data, D. umutturali is known only from three localities along the Turkish Levant coast: Akıncı Burnu (Iskenderun Bay), Kaþ and Fethiye Bay, northern Cyprus (Bilecenoğlu et al. 2017; Fricke & Wirtz 2023).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFCFFC1FF7BFCF1FC72F872.taxon	description	Description. Body slender and elongated, posteriorly laterally compressed, body depth at pectoral fins 6.4 – 8.9 in SL, body depth at anus 7.7 – 10.2 in SL, body depth in width at pectoral fins 1.1 – 1.4, body depth in width at anus 0.7 – 0.8. Head dorsoventrally compressed, head depth in width at orbit 1.5 – 1.8, and moderately large, head length 3.3 - 3.8 in SL, head wider than body width maximum, head width at anterior sucking disc edge 0.7 – 0.9 in body width at pectoral fins. Dorsal head profile a straight line from nape above eye to upper lip tip. Head rounded in dorsal view. Snout large compared to eyes, preorbital distance 2.9 – 3.7 in head length, 0.3 – 0.5 in horizontal eye diameter. Snout wide, not produced, blunt. Internostril space gently convex. Eyes dorsolateral, with lower eye edge rounded. Eyes small, 7.3 – 9.5 in head length, vertical diameter of the eye 0.8 – 1.1 in horizontal eye diameter. Infraorbital invagination vertical to posterior part of eye or to mideye. Interorbital distance 0.3 – 0.6 in horizontal eye diameter. Centre of eye much closer to tip of snout than to posterior margin of operculum, preorbital distance in postorbital distance 1.8 – 2.2. Anterior and posterior nostrils long tubes of about equal length. Nostrils well separated and posterior nostril located behind and dorsally to the anterior edge of eyes. Single large lobe at the posterior margin of anterior nostril or bilobed, longer than nostril. Posterior nostril rim crenate with no extension. Head canals reduced and pores small. Single pore in nasal canal near posterior nostril. Single pore in postorbital canal close to posterior eye edge. Two pores in mandibular canal, anterior one close to anterolateral angle of mouth, posterior pore slightly in front of vertical of posterior angle of jaws, posterior pore usually more prominent. Lachrymal, as well as preopercular, canals and pores absent. Rows of superficial neuromasts in head region placed in a well-defined deep groove. Mouth terminal, upper and lower lips end about equally, lips fleshy, upper lip larger than the lower lip. Posterior angle of jaws extends to between vertical line drawn through posterior edge of anterior nostril and vertical line drawn through anterior edge of eye. Gill membrane attached to isthmus, gill opening starting at the base of pectoral fin, with upper attachment of gill membrane opposite to 5 th to 6 th pectoral ray. Pointed upper and rounded lower posterior opercular edge. Urogenital papilla present. Preanus length in postanus length 0.6 - 0.7. Anal papillae absent, area around anus only wrinkled. Rudimentary dorsal and anal fins connected to caudal fin. Pectoral ray count 15 – 17. Caudal fin rounded, principal caudal ray count 12 – 13. Ventral adhesive disc length 5.0 – 6.3 in SL, width in length 0.9 – 1.0. No papillae in region A and flattened papillae in regions B and C. In region B one or two rows of papillae with total papillae count 10 – 30 and in region C two rows of papillae with total papillae count 9 – 15. No inner row of papillae on lateral sides of the central part of the anterior disc. Upper attachment of disc membrane attaching to base of pectoral fin at 15 th – 17 th pectoral ray, i. e. at ultimate or penultimate ray. In males, parts of disc region A appear to be perfused with blood during mating season. Coloration. In life flesh-colored to yellow, slightly transparent with prominent and head pigmentation forming a star-like pattern around the eyes (Fig. 17 b) (Wagner et al. 2020). Body either without melanocytes (especially in juveniles) or with irregularly distributed melanocytes that decrease in density toward the posterior part of the body, or appears dotted (e. g. specimens from Vlorë). Formaldehyde-fixed specimens white to yellow and without pigments (Fig. 17 a). In ethanol, yellow or skin-colored with pigments still present.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFCFFC1FF7BFCF1FC72F872.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. Found on intertidal gravel beaches and fields of small boulders, partly in sympatry with G. pigra and Lepadogaster lepadogaster (Wagner et al. 2020, 2023). During extreme low tides (most pronounced in late winter and early spring), this species may also be found within layers of pebbles above the waterline. It prefers larger interstitial spaces compared to the congeneric, sympatric slender species G. pigra.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFCFFC1FF7BFCF1FC72F872.taxon	distribution	Distribution. The distribution ranges from the northern Adriatic Sea to the northern Ionian Sea (Corfu Island) (Wagner et al. 2020). In the Adriatic basin, the species is broadly sympatric with G. pigra. At one site in the Adriatic basin (Pelješac), it was found in syntopy with G. hofrichteri and G. pigra.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFEFFC7FF7BFB3FFE54FB0B.taxon	description	Description. Body very slender and elongated, posteriorly laterally compressed, body depth at pectoral fins 9.2 – 10.5 in SL, body depth at anus 11.0 – 13.5 in SL, body depth in width at pectoral fins 1.0 – 1.0, body depth in width at anus 0.7 – 0.9. Body cross section behind pectoral fin base triangular with ventral flat and dorsal pointed. Granules on body, at least on posterior part and nape large and prominent. Head dorsoventrally compressed, head depth in width at orbit 1.5 – 1.8, and moderately small, head length 4.3 – 5.3 in SL, head wider than body width maximum, head width at anterior sucking disc edge 0.7 – 0.8 in body width at pectoral fins. Dorsal head profile “ S ” curved, concave above eye and convex at nape. Head rounded in dorsal view. Snout large compared to eyes, preorbital distance 2.8 – 3.7 in head length, 0.3 – 0.5 in horizontal eye diameter. Snout wide, not produced, blunt. Internostril space almost triangular in cross – section, with ridge top, conspicuously convex. Eyes dorsolateral, with lower eye edge rounded. Eyes small, 7.7 – 10.7 in head length, vertical diameter of the eye 0.8 – 1.1 in horizontal eye diameter. Infraorbital invagination below anterior half of eye or below mideye. Interorbital distance wide, 0.3 – 0.5 in horizontal eye diameter. Centre of eye much closer to tip of snout than to posterior margin of operculum, preorbital distance in postorbital distance 1.7 – 2.3. Anterior and posterior nostrils long tubes of about equal length. Nostrils well separated and posterior nostril located behind and dorsally to the anterior edge of eyes. Single large dermal flap at the posterior margin of anterior nostril leaf shaped, longer than nostril. Posterior nostril rim crenate with no extension. Head canals reduced and pores small. Single pore in nasal canal near posterior nostril. Single pore in postorbital canal close to posterior eye edge. Two pores in mandibular canal, anterior one close to anteriolateral angle of mouth, posterior pore slightly in front of vertical of posterior angle of jaws, posterior pore usually more prominent. Lachrymal, as well as preopercular, canals and pores absent. Rows of superficial neuromasts in head region placed in shallow groove disappearing in posterior part. Mouth terminal, upper and lower lips ends about equally, lips fleshy, upper lip larger than the lower lip. Posterior angle of jaws extends to between vertical line drawn through posterior edge of anterior nostril and vertical line drawn through anterior edge of eye. The gill membrane is attached to isthmus, gill opening starting at the base of pectoral fin, with the upper attachment of the gill membrane is opposite to 3 rd to 4 th pectoral ray. Posterior opercular edge with pointed upper tip and rounded lower edge. No subopercular spine. No fleshy pad present on lower pectoral base. Urogenital papilla present. Preanus length in postanus length 0.7 – 1.0. Anal papillae absent, the area around anus wrinkled. Rudimentary dorsal and anal fins located well posteriorly and short, reduced to low ridges with the very weak rays, connected to the caudal fin. Pectoral rays 14 – 16. Caudal fin rounded, principal caudal rays 10 – 12. Disc length 7.5 – 9.8 in SL and width 0.8 – 0.9 in length. No papillae in region A and flattened papillae in regions B and C. In region B one or two rows of papillae with total papillae count 12 – 30 and in region C one or two rows of papillae with total papillae count 4 – 14. No inner row of papillae on lateral sides of the central part of the anterior disc. Upper attachment of disc membrane attaching to base of pectoral fin at 14 th – 16 th pectoral ray (i. e. at ultimate or penultimate ray). Males can have two prominent seemingly perfused finger-like extensions on each site of sucking disc that sometimes that equal or exceed length of disc region A. Coloration. Background color of live specimens bright to skin-colored (Fig. 18 b) (Wagner et al. 2020). Pigmentation behind head region sometimes forms a clearly visible striped or marbled pattern (i. e. irregularly distributed pigment patches). Small, evenly distributed iridophores may sometimes be visible in lateral view in vivo. No star-like pigmentation around the eyes visible. Formaldehyde-fixed specimens are white to yellow and lack pigments (Fig 18 a). Ethanol-fixed specimens appear white to skin-colored, with striped or marbled pigmentation still visible.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFEFFC7FF7BFB3FFE54FB0B.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. The species inhabits intertidal pebble beaches and shows passive emergence behaviour (Wagner et al. 2020; 2023; Bilecenoğlu 2015). It likely inhabits a similar microhabitat to the second slender Gouania morphotype, G. pigra, but quantitative ecological data are largely lacking.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFEFFC7FF7BFB3FFE54FB0B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Widespread in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, with a single record from the Adriatic Sea (Pelješac) (Wagner et al. 2020). Gouania hofrichteri is highly abundant in the northern and southern Ionian Sea (Corfu, Stomio), the Gulf of Korinth, the islands of Kythira and Crete, and the Aegean Sea (Attica). Throughout its distribution range the species occurs in sympatry with G. orientalis, and on the Pelješac in the southern Adriatic Sea with G. adriatica and G. pigra.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF9FFC5FF7BFB1DFC40FECF.taxon	description	Description. Body slender and elongated, posteriorly laterally compressed, body depth at pectoral fins 6.9 – 8.6 in SL, body depth at anus 7.8 – 9.3 in SL, body depth in width at pectoral fins 1.1 – 1.2, body depth in width at anus 0.8 – 0.9. Head dorsoventrally compressed, head depth in width at orbit 1.5 – 1.9, and moderately large, head length 3.5 – 4.0 in SL, head wider than body width maximum, head width at anterior sucking disc edge 0.7 – 0.8 in body width at pectoral fins. Dorsal head profile straight between nape above eye and upper lip tip. Head rounded in dorsal view. Snout large compared to eyes, preorbital distance 3.1 – 3.8 in head length, 0.3 – 0.5 in horizontal eye diameter. Snout wide, not produced, blunt. Internostril space gently convex. Eyes dorsolateral, with lower eye edge rounded. Eyes small, 7.0 – 10.1 in head length, vertical diameter of the eye 0.8 – 1.1 in horizontal eye diameter. Infraorbital invagination vertical to posterior part of eye. Interorbital distance wide, 0.3 – 0.5 in horizontal eye diameter. Centre of eye much closer to tip of snout than to posterior margin of operculum, preorbital distance in postorbital distance 1.9 – 2.3. Anterior and posterior nostrils long tubes of about equal length. Nostrils well separated and posterior nostril located behind and dorsally to anterior edge of eyes. Single large dermal flap at the posterior margin of anterior nostril leaf shaped, longer than nostril. Posterior nostril rim slightly crenate with no extension. Head lateral line system with canals with pores and with superficial neuromasts arranged in rows. Head canals reduced and pores small. Single pore in nasal canal near posterior nostril. Single pore in postorbital canal close to posterior eye edge. Two pores in mandibular canal, anterior one close to anteriolateral angle of mouth, posterior pore slightly in front of vertical of posterior angle of jaws, posterior pore usually more prominent. Lachrymal as well as preopercular canals and pores absent. Rows of superficial neuromasts in head region placed in the well-defined deep groove. Mouth terminal, upper and lower lips end about equally, lips fleshy, upper lip larger than the lower lip. Posterior angle of jaws extends to between vertical line drawn through anterior edge of eyes and vertical line drawn through anterior part of eye. The gill membrane is attached to isthmus, gill opening starting at the base of pectoral fin, with the upper attachment of the gill membrane is opposite to 5 th to 6 th pectoral ray. Posterior opercular edge w-shaped with two equally long tips. Urogenital papilla present. Preanus length in postanus length 0.6 – 0.8. Anal papillae absent, the area around anus wrinkled. Rudimentary dorsal and anal fins connected to the caudal fin. Pectoral rays 17 – 19. Caudal fin rounded, principal caudal rays 10 – 11. Disc length 5.3 – 6.7 in SL and disc width in length 0.9 – 1.1. No papillae in region A and flattened papillae in regions B and C. In region B two to three rows of papillae with total papillae count 21 – 37 and in region C two rows of papillae with total papillae count 9 – 15. No inner row of papillae on lateral sides of the central part of the anterior disc. Upper attachment of disc membrane attaching to base of pectoral fin at 16 th – 18 th pectoral ray (i. e. on penultimate ray). Coloration. Background color of live individuals is bright yellow to brownish red, with a prominent star-like pigmentation around eyes present (Fig. 19 b) (Wagner et al. 2020). Body pigmentation is reduced in juveniles or, behind head, arranged in clearly visible regular stripes (juveniles, e. g. Attica, Crete, Kythira) or in a marbled pattern (e. g. Gulf of Corinth). Specimens from Crete, Kythira, and the Gulf of Corinth exhibit stronger pigmentation. Formaldehyde-fixed specimens white to yellow and lack pigments (Fig. 19 a). Ethanol-fixed specimens white to skin-colored, with pigmentation (including stripes) still visible.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF9FFC5FF7BFB1DFC40FECF.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. The species inhabits intertidal and subtidal pebble and boulder beaches (Wagner et al. 2020; 2023). Quantitative ecological data are largely lacking. It is expected to occupy a habitat similar to that of G. adriatica, as both belong tothe stout morphotype when occurring alongside slender Gouania species.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF9FFC5FF7BFB1DFC40FECF.taxon	distribution	Distribution. The known distribution range includes Corfu, the Gulf of Korinth, the Aegean Sea (Attica), and the islands Crete and Kythira (Wagner et al. 2020). It occurs in sympatry or even syntopy with G. hofrichteri throughout its range. The species is not known to occur in the Adriatic Sea.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFBFFC4FF7BFE59FA92FA4F.taxon	description	Description. Body very slender and elongated, posteriorly laterally compressed, body depth at pectoral fins 8.5 – 9.4 in SL, body depth at anus 8.8 – 11.8 in SL, body depth in width at pectoral fins 1.0 – 1.2, body depth in width at anus 0.7 – 0.9. Head dorsoventrally compressed, head depth in width at orbit 1.5 – 1.9, and moderately small, head length 4.4 – 5.1 in SL, head wider than body width maximum, head width at anterior sucking disc edge 0.7 – 0.8 in body width at pectoral fins. Dorsal head profile “ S ” curved, concave above eye and convex at nape. Head rounded in dorsal view. Snout large compared to eyes, preorbital distance 2.7 – 3.6 in head length, 0.3 – 0.4 in horizontal eye diameter. Snout wide, not produced, blunt. Eyes small, 9.1 – 11.2 in head length, vertical diameter of the eye 0.7 – 0.9 in horizontal eye diameter. Infraorbital invagination below anterior half of eye or below mideye. Interorbital distance 0.3 – 0.4 in horizontal eye diameter. Anterior and posterior nostrils long tubes of about equal length. Nostrils well separated and posterior nostril located behind and dorsally to the anterior edge of eyes. Single large dermal flap of leaf shape at the posterior margin of anterior nostril, longer than nostril. Posterior nostril rim crenate or villose with no extension. Head canals reduced and pores small. Single pore in nasal canal near posterior nostril. Single pore in postorbital canal close to posterior eye edge. Two pores in mandibular canal, anterior one close to anteriolateral angle of mouth, posterior pore slightly in front of vertical of posterior angle of jaws, posterior pore usually more prominent. Lachrymal as well as preopercular canals and pores absent. Rows of superficial neuromasts in head region placed in the well-defined deep groove. Mouth terminal, upper and lower lips end about equally, lips fleshy, upper lip larger than the lower lip. Posterior angle of jaws extends to, or close to, vertical line drawn through anterior edge of anterior nostril. Gill membrane is attached to isthmus, gill opening starting at base of pectoral fin, with upper attachment of gill membrane opposite to 3 rd to 5 th pectoral ray. Posterior opercular edge with two tips, upper longer or equal to lower. No subopercular spine. No fleshy pad present on lower pectoral base. Urogenital papilla present. Preanus length in postanus length 0.7 – 0.9. Anal papillae absent, the area around anus wrinkled. Rudimentary dorsal and anal fins connected to caudal fin. Pectoral rays 13 – 16. Caudal fin rounded, principal caudal rays 10 – 11. Disc length 6.9 – 8.3 in SL and width 0.8 – 1.0 in length. No papillae in region A and flattened papillae in regions B and C. In region B one or two rows of papillae with total papillae count 11 – 23 and in region C one or two rows of papillae with total papillae count 4 – 11. No inner row of papillae on lateral sides of the central part of the anterior disc. Upper attachment of disc membrane attaching to base of pectoral fin at 12 th – 15 th pectoral ray i. e. at ultimate or penultimate ray. Males can have two prominent seemingly perfused finger-like extensions on each site of sucking disc that sometimes equal or exceed length of disc region A. Coloration. Background coloration of live specimens white to flesh-colored, slightly transparent, and without star-shaped pigmentation around eyes (Fig. 20 b) (Wagner et al. 2020). In life, body almost pigmentless or with very small pigments forming an irregular marbled pattern, but this pattern is never as pronounced as in other Gouania species. Formaldehyde-fixed specimens white toyellow and without pigments (Fig. 20 a). Ethanol-fixed specimens white to skin-colored, with pigmentation reduced.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFBFFC4FF7BFE59FA92FA4F.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. The species inhabits intertidal pebble beaches, and can be found even above the waterline during low tide (Wagner et al. 2020; 2023). It prefers smaller gravel compared to its sympatric congeneric stout counterpart G. adriatica. Most individuals are found directly at the waterline up to a depth of 0.5 m.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFBFFC4FF7BFE59FA92FA4F.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Gouania pigra is endemic to the Adriatic Sea. The southernmost record is from Vlorë (Albania) (Wagner et al. 2020). Throughout its distribution range, the species occurs in sympatry with G. adriatica.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFAFFCAFF7BF9D9FDD6FC47.taxon	description	Description. Body slender and elongated, posteriorly laterally compressed, body depth at pectoral fins 7.5 – 8.8 in SL, body depth at anus 8.8 – 11.4 in SL, body depth in width at pectoral fins 1.1 – 1.3, body depth in width at anus 0.8 – 0.9. Head dorsoventrally compressed, head depth in width at orbit 1.5 – 1.9, and moderately large, head length 3.5 – 4.1 in SL, head wider than body width maximum, head width at anterior sucking disc edge 0.7 – 0.8 in body width at pectoral fins. Dorsal head profile straight. Head rounded in dorsal view. Snout large compared to eyes, preorbital distance 2.8 – 3.5 in head length, 0.3 in horizontal eye diameter. Snout wide and blunt. Eyes dorsolateral, with lower eye edge rounded. Eyes small, 9.1 – 11.0 in head length, vertical diameter of the eye 0.8 – 1.0 in horizontal eye diameter. Infraorbital invagination vertical to posterior part of eye. Interorbital distance wide, 0.3 – 0.4 in horizontal eye diameter. Centre of eye much closer to tip of snout than to posterior margin of operculum, preorbital distance in postorbital distance 1.7 – 2.3. Anterior and posterior nostrils long tubes of about equal length. Nostrils well separated and posterior nostril located behind and dorsally to the anterior edge of eyes. Single large dermal flap of leaf shape at the posterior margin of anterior nostril, longer than nostril. Posterior nostril rim crenate with no extension. Head canals reduced and pores small. Single pore in nasal canal near posterior nostril. Single pore in postorbital canal close to posterior eye edge. Two pores in mandibular canal, posterior pore more prominent. Lachrymal as well as preopercular canals and pores absent. Rows of superficial neuromasts in head region placed in the well-defined deep groove. Mouth terminal, upper and lower lips ends about equally, lips fleshy, upper lip larger than the lower lip. Posterior angle of jaws extends to between vertical line drawn through posterior edge of anterior nostril and vertical line drawn through anterior edge of eye. The gill membrane is attached to isthmus, gill opening starting at the base of pectoral fin, with the upper attachment of the gill membrane is opposite to 4 th to 6 th pectoral ray. Posterior opercular edge w-shaped with two equally long tips. Preanus length in postanus length 0.7 – 0.8. Anal papillae absent, the area around anus wrinkled. Rudimentary dorsal and anal fins connected to the caudal fin. Pectoral rays 16 – 19. Caudal fin rounded, principal caudal rays 11 – 12. Disc length 5.2 – 5.9 in SL and width 0.9 – 1.0 in length. No papillae in region A and flattened papillae in regions B and C. In region B two rows of papillae with total papillae count 17 – 28 and in region C two rows of papillae with total papillae count 9 – 14. No inner row of papillae on lateral sides of the central part of the anterior disc. Upper attachment of disc membrane attaching to base of pectoral fin at 15 th – 18 th pectoral ray i. e. penultimate ray. Males can have two prominent seemingly perfused finger-like extensions on each site of sucking disc that sometimes equal or exceed length of disc region A. Coloration. Background coloration of live specimens flesh-colored, orange or yellow with star-like pigmentation around eyes (Fig. 21 b) (Wagner et al. 2020). In life, body coloration with dark distinct stripes in less pigmented specimens (e. g. Messina, Sicily), while other specimens show an irregular marbled pattern. Formaldehyde-fixed specimens white to yellow and without pigments (Fig. 21 a). Ethanol-fixed specimens white to skin-colored, with striped pigmentation still visible.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFAFFCAFF7BF9D9FDD6FC47.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. The species reaches its highest abundances on pebble and boulder beaches of less than 0.5 m depth (up to 24 ind. / m 2 in Messina), but can be found down to 2 m (Wagner et al. 2020; Hofrichter & Patzner 2000; Patzner 1999). Gouania willdenowi may occasionally occur in sympatry with Lepadogaster lepadogaster. Males build and guard nests under boulders during the spawning season.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFFAFFCAFF7BF9D9FDD6FC47.taxon	distribution	Distribution. The species is restricted to the western Mediterranean basin, with the easternmost known record from Messina, Sicily (Wagner et al. 2020).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF4FFC8FF7BFBD0FDAAFE23.taxon	description	Description. Body depressed anteriorly, posteriorly laterally compressed. Head wider than body, depressed, in dorsal outline more or less triangular, snout elongate but rounded on top. Anterior nostril with a very small dermal flap projecting from its posterior margin. Posterior nostril well behind anterior edge of eye. Both jaws with small conical, recurved teeth. The cephalic sensory canals: nasal canal with 2 pores, postorbital canal with 2 pores, lachrymal canal with 3 pores, preopercular canal with 3 pores and mandibular canal with 2 pores. No subopercular spine. Head length 2.2 – 2.6 in SL, eye diameter 3.8 – 5.6 in head length, snout length 3.1 – 3.9 in head length, body depth 5.2 – 6.4 in SL, sucking disc length 3.8 – 4.3 in SL, no data for distance between anus and the origin of anal fin in anal fin length, caudal peduncle depth 0.8 – 1.0 in caudal peduncle length. Dorsal fin 13 – 16 rays, anal fin 9 – 11, pectoral fin 26 – 29 rays, caudal fin 10 – 13 principle rays. Membrane of dorsal and anal fins not connected to caudal fin. The upper attachment of the gill membrane is situated opposite 5 th – 7 th pectoral ray, the upper attachment of the axial, dermal flap opposite 13 th – 17 th pectoral ray. Sucking disc rows of papillae: region A 3 – 5 rows of flattened papillae, region B 7 – 9 rows of flattened papillae, region C 3 rows of flattened papillae, no lateral papillae rows exist on both sides of the central portion of the sucking disk between papillae at anterior disc region A and papillae at central disc region C. Anus located close to anal fin origin. Coloration. In life, the coloration is dark reddish-brown, with intense red spots on head in males, or yellowishgreen in some individuals (Fig. 22 b) (Briggs 1986; Hofrichter & Patzner 2000). In alcohol, specimens are pale with no visible pigmentation (Fig. 22 a). However, some specimens may retain a reddish or pale brown pattern in alcohol for several years.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF4FFC8FF7BFBD0FDAAFE23.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. Occurs at depths 0.7 – 20 m, in a variety of microhabitats: tidepools, pebble banks, boulder fields, small cavities in bedrock, coralligenous habitats, under stones in phytal zones overgrown by algal turf and macroalgae, beneath stones in Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows, under solitary rocks on sand patches and on sea urchin and on seashells such as Pinna nobilis and Ostrea edulis (Hofrichter & Patzner 2000; Trkov et al. 2021). It is sometimes found in association with large predatory fish, namely Muraena helena Linnaeus, 1758 and Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834) (Tiralongo et al. 2019).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF4FFC8FF7BFBD0FDAAFE23.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Eastern Atlantic (from British Isles in the north to Marrocco and the Canary Islands in the south), western and northern Mediterranean (from Algeria along the northern coasts to the Aegean Sea), the Sea of Marmara, and the Black Sea (Briggs 1986).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF6FFCFFF7BF99DFB13FA4A.taxon	description	Description. Body depressed anteriorly, posteriorly laterally compressed. Head wider than body, depressed, in dorsal outline more or less triangular, snout elongate but rounded on top. Anterior nostril with a large cirrus extends from posterior margin of the anterior nostril, and a smaller projection is present on the anterior margin. Posterior nostril just above or slightly behind anterior edge of eye. Both jaws with small conical, recurved teeth. The cephalic sensory canals: nasal canal with 2 pores, postorbital canal with 2 pores, lachrymal canal with 3 pores, preopercular canal with 3 pores and mandibular canal with 3 pores. No subopercular spine. Head length 2.2 – 2.4 in SL, eye diameter 5.1 – 6.7 in head length, snout length 2.8 – 3.1 in head length, body depth 4.8 – 6.8 in SL, sucking disc length 3.0 – 3.6 in SL, no data for distance between anus and the origin of anal fin in anal fin length, caudal peduncle depth 0.7 – 0.9 in caudal peduncle length. Dorsal fin 15 – 19 rays, anal fin 9 – 11 rays, pectoral fin 20 – 23 rays, caudal fin 10 – 13 principal rays. Membrane of dorsal and anal fins broadly connected to caudal fin. The upper attachment of the gill membrane is situated opposite 6 th – 9 th pectoral ray, the upper attachment of the axial, dermal flap opposite 10 th – 13 th pectoral ray. Sucking disc rows of papillae: region A 3 – 4 rows of flattened papillae, region B 3 – 4 rows of flattened papillae, region C 3 – 4 rows of flattened papillae, no lateral papillae rows exist on both sides of the central portion of the sucking disk between papillae at anterior disc region A and papillae at central disc region C. Anus located close to anal fin origin. Coloration. In life, the coloration is mostly greenish-brown to reddish-green with dark spots (Fig. 23 b) (Briggs 1986; Hofrichter & Patzner 2000; Wagner et al. 2017). Eyespots in the predorsal area absent or clearly smaller than eye pupil. In alcohol, the specimens are pale with no visible pigmentation (Fig. 23 a). However, some specimens may retain a reddish pattern in alcohol for several years.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF6FFCFFF7BF99DFB13FA4A.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. Occurs at depths of 0.4 – 7 m in tidepools, pebble banks, boulder fields, and under larger stones, either overgrown by algal turf or bare (Hofrichter & Patzner 2000; Henriques et al. 2002; Trkov et al. 2021).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF6FFCFFF7BF99DFB13FA4A.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Eastern Atlantic (from Galicia, Spain in the north, south to Portugal, including Madeira and the Canary Islands), western and northern Mediterranean (from Algeria and Malaga, Spain to the Aegean Sea), the Sea of Marmara, and the Black Sea (Briggs 1986; Henriques et al. 2002; Bilecenoğlu et al. 2014).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF1FFCDFF7BF9C9FE55FE07.taxon	description	Description. Body depressed anteriorly, posteriorly laterally compressed. Head wider than body, depressed, in dorsal outline more or less triangular, snout elongate but rounded on top. Anterior nostril with a large cirrus extends from posterior margin of the anterior nostril, and a smaller projection is present on the anterior margin. Posterior nostril just above or slightly behind anterior edge of eye. Both jaws with small conical, recurved teeth. The cephalic sensory canals: nasal canal with 2 pores, postorbital canal with 2 pores, lachrymal canal with 3 pores, preopercular canal with 3 pores and mandibular canal with 3 pores. No subopercular spine. Head length 2.2 – 2.4 and width 3.0 – 3.7 in SL, eye diameter 4.8 – 6.6 in head length, snout length 3.0 – 3.2 in head length, body depth 5.7 – 6.8 in SL, sucking disc length 3.2 – 3.4 in SL, no data for distance between anus, the origin of anal fin in anal fin length and caudal peduncle depth in caudal peduncle length. Dorsal fin 17 – 21 rays, anal fin 10 – 12 rays, pectoral fin 20 – 23 rays, caudal fin 10 – 14 principal rays. Membrane of dorsal and anal fins broadly connected to caudal fin. The upper attachment of the gill membrane is situated opposite 6 th – 7 th pectoral ray, the upper attachment of the axial, dermal flap opposite 10 th – 13 th pectoral ray. Sucking disc rows of papillae: region A 5 – 6 rows of flattened papillae, region B 5 – 6 rows of flattened papillae, region C 3 – 4 rows of flattened papillae, no lateral papillae rows exist on both sides of the central portion of the sucking disk between papillae at anterior disc region A and papillae at central disc region C. Anus located close to anal fin origin. Coloration. In life, the coloration is mostly greenish-brown to reddish green, with a spotted pattern (Fig. 24 b) (Briggs 1986; Hofrichter & Patzner 2000; Wagner et al. 2017; Henrique et al. 2002). Eyespots in the predorsal area are about equal to or larger than the eye pupil. In alcohol, the specimens are pale with no visible pigmentation (Fig. 24 a). However, some specimens can retain a reddish pattern in alcohol for several years.	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF1FFCDFF7BF9C9FE55FE07.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. Occurs from the intertidal zone down to 7 m depth, in tidepools, pebble banks, boulder fields, and under larger stones, either overgrown by algal turf or bare. Usually, the species is found under larger, more overgrown stones compared to L. lepadogaster (Henriques et al. 2002; Wagner et al. 2017).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF1FFCDFF7BF9C9FE55FE07.taxon	distribution	Distribution. From Scotland to Senegal, including the Canary Islands and Madeira and throughout the northern Mediterranean Sea (Henriques et al. 2002; Wagner et al. 2017), and potentially in the Black Sea (Briggs 1986; 1990) and Morocco (Brownell 1978).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF3FFCCFF7BFE11FCFCFC0E.taxon	description	Description. Body long and slender, nearly cylindrical anteriorly, posteriorly laterally compressed. Head wider than body, highly depressed, in dorsal outline more or less triangular, snout elongated. Anterior nostril without an appendage on rim. Posterior nostril behind anterior edge of eye. Both jaws with small conical, recurved teeth. The cephalic sensory canals: nasal canal with 2 pores, postorbital canal with 2 pores, lachrymal canal with 3 pores, preopercular canal with 3 pores and mandibular canal with 3 pores. Subopercular spine distinct. Head length 2.8 – 3.3 in SL, eye diameter 3.8 – 5.4 in head length, snout length 3.6 – 4.8 in head length, body depth 6.0 – 8.2 in SL, sucking disc length 4.4 – 5.7 in SL, no data for distance between anus and the origin of anal fin in anal fin length, caudal peduncle depth 1.2 – 3.0 in caudal peduncle length. Dorsal fin 2 – 4 rays, anal fin 2 – 4, pectoral fin 14 – 18 rays, caudal fin 8 – 14 principle rays. The upper attachment of the gill membrane is situated opposite 3 th pectoral ray, the upper attachment of the axial, dermal flap opposite 7 th pectoral ray. Sucking disc rows of papillae: region A 4 – 5 rows of flattened papillae, region B 4 – 5 rows of flattened papillae, region C 3 – 5 rows of flattened papillae, lateral papillae rows present on both sides of the central portion of the sucking disk between papillae at anterior disc region A and papillae at central disc region C. Anus located closer to anal fin origin position than rear margin of disc. Morphology from Briggs (1955), Briggs (1986), Gonçavles et al. (2005). Coloration. In life, coloration ranges from light green to light brown and dark red, sometimes with small blue or white iridescent spots on the dorsal part or along the flanks (Fig. 25 b) (Hofrichter & Patzner 2000; Gonçavles et al. 2005). In alcohol, the specimens are pale with no visible pigmentation (Fig. 25 a).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF3FFCCFF7BFE11FCFCFC0E.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. Occurs at depths of 6 – 20 m, exclusively in seagrass meadows, attached to the leaves of Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa (Hofrichter & Patzner 2000; Gonçavles et al. 2005).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
681A1027FFF3FFCCFF7BFE11FCFCFC0E.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Eastern Atlantic only recorded in Portugal, and in the Mediterranean Sea (Algeria, continental Spain and Ibiza, continental France, Sicily, Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, and the Levant Sea) (Briggs 1986; Gonçavles et al. 2005; Bilecenoğlu et al. 2014; Gerovasileiou et al. 2020).	en	Kovačić, Marcelo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Wagner, Maximilian (2026): Checklist and identification key for clingfishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiesocidae) from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa 5757 (5): 401-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.5.1
