Notes on the nomenclature of spinorays (Chondrichthyes, Batomorphii, Apolithabatiformes)

Three nomenclatural problems with the spinorays (Apolithabatiformes) are addressed here. The priority of the family name Asterodermidae Bonaparte, 1850 over Spathobatidae Dames, 1888 is demonstrated. The authorships of the generic names Asterodermus Agassiz, 1836, Spathobatis Thiollière, 1848 and Belemnobatis Thiollière, 1852 are clarified. The spellings of the specific names S. bugesiacus Thiollière, 1848, S. morinicus Sauvage, 1873 and S. rugosus Underwood et al., 1999 are emended to S. bugesiaca, S. morinica and S. rugosa, respectively.