Crossword Genius

Marine life in sea adjacent to America (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

medusa

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'marine life' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'sea adjacent to america' is the wordplay.
'sea' becomes 'med' (abbreviation of Mediterranean).
'adjacent to' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'america' becomes 'usa' (United States of America).
'med'+'usa'='MEDUSA'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for medusa that I've seen before include "Snake-haired gorgon" , "Amused by the mythical gorgon?" , "Mythical woman with snakes for hair" , "Gorgon of Greek myth" , "Amused (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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