identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
03C2E354FFCDFFCFFF49F9FBFF215F39.text	03C2E354FFCDFFCFFF49F9FBFF215F39.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Amblyraja radiata (Donovan 1808) Donovan 1808	<div><p>Amblyraja radiata (Donovan, 1808)</p><p>Distribution. Starry skate ( A. radiata) is a boreo-Arctic species that, in the Northeast Atlantic, is common from the central North Sea to Iceland and the Barents Sea (Stehmann &amp; Bürkel, 1984). Verified records submitted to the Great Eggcase Hunt were usually collected along North Sea coasts, from north Norfolk up to the Shetland Islands. However, one unusually large specimen (Figure 2 a) was reported in January 2015 from Borth, Cardigan Bay (Wales), which is outside the expected geographic range (see below).</p><p><a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=5.8&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=61.3" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 5.8/lat 61.3)">Material</a> examined. <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=5.8&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=61.3" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 5.8/lat 61.3)">Ninety-four</a> eggcases were examined in total (excluding the unusual specimen collected from <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=5.8&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=61.3" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 5.8/lat 61.3)">Borth</a>). <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=5.8&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=61.3" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 5.8/lat 61.3)">Specimens</a> were obtained primarily from <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=5.8&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=61.3" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 5.8/lat 61.3)">North Sea</a> trawl surveys (n = 79) with additional specimens available from beach collections (n = 10) and museum specimens (n = 5) historically collected from <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=5.8&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=61.3" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 5.8/lat 61.3)">Scarborough</a> (<a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=5.8&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=61.3" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 5.8/lat 61.3)">North Sea</a> coast, BMNH 1928.2.8.2.1–4, BMNH 1928.1.11.1). Specimens from the North Sea were captured at a range of trawl locations over the area from 55.6– 61.3°N and 0.5°W to 5.8°E, ranging from 37–170 m water depth.</p><p>Description. The eggcase of A. radiata (Figure 2 b) is generally small. Excluding the large aberrant specimen from Borth, the mean total eggcase length is 101.2 ± 10.6 mm (range = 72.2–129.0), and eggcase length is 34.2 ± 1.1 mm (range = 32.7–36.7 mm) without horns. Eggcase width is 32.8 ± 2.6 mm (25.6–36.7 mm). The length and width of eggcases from historical museum specimens (n = 5) were within the size ranges recorded in contemporary samples. The dorsal surface is strongly convex and, when newly laid, covered in a thin fibrous layer. The ventral surface is slightly convex in shape but much flatter in comparison to the dorsal surface. Both capsule surfaces have longitudinal striations and latitudinal ridges that give a distinctive texture and pattern (Figure 3 a), ranging from a delicate lattice appearance to a fine rippled effect. Lateral keels (which are often damaged or lost in older specimens) run the length of the capsule from the base of the anterior horns to the base of the posterior horns, and represent an average of 17% of the total capsule width. The anterior apron is straight while the posterior apron is much shallower and concave. The anterior horns taper to form fine, filamentous tubes while the posterior horns terminate in hooks.</p><p>Remarks. This is one of the smallest skate eggcases found in northern European shelf seas, and the textured surface on each side is highly distinctive. The fragile lateral keels are often broken in stranded specimens, and so this feature alone should not be used for identification. Many specimens collected by trawl surveys had small boreholes on the capsule surfaces, indicating predation by gastropod molluscs (Cox et al., 1999). Templeman (1982) noted the small size of eggcases from North Sea populations, ca. 48 mm long by 34 mm wide, and even as small as 42 mm by 25 mm (Clark, 1926). Spatial differences in eggcase size are known for this species, with eggcases from more northerly parts of the Northwest Atlantic waters 61–74 mm long and 41–60 mm wide, and eggcases from further south ranging from 71–96 mm long and 53–77 mm wide (Vladykov, 1936; Templeman, 1982). Jensen (1914) provided data from Greenland waters, and these specimens were larger (44–68 mm) than in the North Sea. This author also provided more detailed measurements for a sub-sample, with these ranging from 56–68 mm long without horns, 127–172 mm long with horns, and 42–51 mm in width. Nordgaard (1917) described the eggcases and development of A. radiata from Trondheim Fjord (ca. 63.5°N), with these eggcases 50–60 mm long and 40–48 mm wide. The total eggcase lengths measured in the present study were all smaller than previous reports (Table 1), although eggcase width was broadly similar.</p><p>The unusual specimen submitted to the Great Eggcase Hunt from Borth (total eggcase length = 174.9 mm; capsule length = 73.1 mm; eggcase width = 68.4 mm; capsule width = 52.8 mm) far exceeded the measurements of North Sea specimens in this study and even from those recorded in other parts of the Atlantic (Table 1). Whilst early ichthyological accounts reported on the presence of A. radiata in the Irish Sea, there are no recent, authenticated captures (Ellis et al., 2002, 2005), and so the origin of this eggcase is uncertain. Whilst other members of the genus Amblyraja may occur in deep waters north of the British Isles, none occur in the coastal zone. Jensen (1914) described the eggcase of Amblyraja hyperborea (Collett, 1879), and two eggcases of this species (provided by A. Lynghammar, Arctic University of Norway) were available to measure during this study - both A. hyperborea specimens were much larger than documented A. radiata specimens (total eggcase length = 256.2 mm; eggcase length = 122.5 mm; capsule length = 75.3 mm; eggcase width = 66.0 mm; capsule width = 54.3 mm).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C2E354FFCDFFCFFF49F9FBFF215F39	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Gordon, Cat A.;Hood, Ali R.;Ellis, Jim R.	Gordon, Cat A., Hood, Ali R., Ellis, Jim R. (2016): Descriptions and revised key to the eggcases of the skates (Rajiformes: Rajidae) and catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) of the British Isles. Zootaxa 4150 (3): 255-280, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.2
03C2E354FFCBFFCCFF49FD01FA645DAE.text	03C2E354FFCBFFCCFF49FD01FA645DAE.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Dipturus batis (Linnaeus 1758) Linnaeus 1758	<div><p>Dipturus batis (Linnaeus, 1758)</p><p>Distribution. Blue (or grey) skate ( D. batis, the form described by Iglésias et al. (2010) as Dipturus cf. flossada) generally has a more southerly distribution than Dipturus cf. intermedia (Parnell, 1837) however the distribution of both species overlaps in the area from the Celtic Sea to northwest Scotland (Griffiths et al., 2010).</p><p>Material examined. Twenty-four eggcases were examined for this study. Most samples (n = 22) were removed from mature females that were captured by gillnet on the fishing grounds west of the Isles of Scilly (Bendall et al., 2012). The remaining two eggcases examined were museum specimens collected from Scarborough (BMNH 1928.11.1.1–2). Two D. batis eggcases found on Perranporth Beach (northern Cornwall) in July 2014 were reported to the Great Eggcase Hunt in March 2015 (and identification confirmed from photographs), however they were not available for measurement.</p><p>Description. The eggcase of D. batis (Figure 4 a) is a similar shape to that of D. cf. intermedia, however it is much smaller, with a mean total eggcase length of 211.9 ± 10.8 (193.0–235.0 mm), mean eggcase length of 139.7 ± 5.6 mm (129.0–150.0 mm), and mean eggcase width of 73.8 ± 3.6 mm (68.0–80.0 mm). Although only two historical specimens were examined, these were similar to the sizes recorded in contemporary samples. The capsule is convex on the dorsal side and flattened on the ventral side. Both surfaces are covered with a dense fibrous layer (which gives a bark-like appearance) with visible longitudinal striations (Figure 3 b), and the eggcase is pale brown in colour. Thin attachment fibres are often present on the margins. Keels are present but not always pronounced. Where the two sides meet at the margin, a slight groove is formed which runs the length of the capsule and fuses at the base of the horns on either end. Both the anterior and posterior aprons are broad and welldeveloped. The anterior horns protrude from the apron and curve in towards each other; they are relatively short in comparison to the eggcase length. Where the posterior horns protrude beyond the apron, they are short and stocky, curving inwards to form hooks.</p><p>Remarks. Much of the earlier data for ‘common skate’ referred to what is now known to be a complex of two species. Iglésias et al. (2010), who distinguished these species on the basis of differences in their morphology, genetics and life history, referred to the two species as blue skate D. cf. flossada and flapper skate D. cf. intermedia . However, the scientific name D. batis is retained here for the former species. Based on the size and morphology, the eggcases described by Clark (1922) and Bor (1998) refer to D. batis, the smaller of the two species. Six specimens examined by Clark (1922) were secured from the adult fish and originated from North Shields (North Sea coast) fish quay, with two additional specimens from Plymouth (Devon) also described. In the Northeast Atlantic, the eggcases are deposited during spring and summer months (Clark, 1922) but no accurate information has been published regarding the developmental time of this species.</p><p>The taxonomy of the genus Dipturus remains unclear, and whilst the long-nosed skate Dipturus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758) and the Norwegian skate D. nidarosiensis (Storm, 1881) may also occur in the deeper waters of the British Isles, descriptions of, and material for, authenticated eggcases remain limited. Images of three eggcases attributed to D. oxyrinchus were provided by A. Bellodi (University of Cagliari, Italy), and the average dimensions for these specimens were as follows: total eggcase length = 142 mm, eggcase length = 111 mm, capsule length = 71 mm, greatest eggcase width = 61 mm and capsule width = 54 mm. One museum specimen of an eggcase taken from the oviduct and labelled as D. oxyrinchus (BMNH 1952.2.18.4) from Porcupine Bank, southwest Ireland, had a total eggcase length of 126 mm, capsule length of 79 mm, eggcase width of 66 mm and capsule width of 54 mm.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C2E354FFCBFFCCFF49FD01FA645DAE	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Gordon, Cat A.;Hood, Ali R.;Ellis, Jim R.	Gordon, Cat A., Hood, Ali R., Ellis, Jim R. (2016): Descriptions and revised key to the eggcases of the skates (Rajiformes: Rajidae) and catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) of the British Isles. Zootaxa 4150 (3): 255-280, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.2
03C2E354FFC8FFCDFF49FB1EFD8F5C89.text	03C2E354FFC8FFCDFF49FB1EFD8F5C89.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Dipturus intermedia (Parnell 1837) Parnell 1837	<div><p>Dipturus cf. intermedia (Parnell, 1837)</p><p>Distribution. Flapper skate ( D. cf. intermedia) is Europe’s largest rajiform and thought to have been formerly widespread across much of the Northeast Atlantic, although it has now been extirpated from much of its geographic range (Rogers &amp; Ellis, 2000). Populations still occur off northwest Scotland and the northern North Sea, including the Orkney and Shetland Isles, with smaller numbers also found at least as far south as the Celtic Sea. Most eggcases submitted to the Great Eggcase Hunt were collected from around Orkney (particularly from west facing beaches) and the west coast of Scotland, with some confirmed reports from western Ireland.</p><p>Material examined. Thirty-three specimens were examined in total; the majority of which were strandline specimens collected from Orkney and submitted to the Great Eggcase Hunt (n = 29). Four museum specimens were also examined, one from southwest Ireland (BMNH 1928.9.18.26) and three of unknown provenance (BMNH 1932.7.27.1–3). All museum specimens were originally misidentified as belonging to R. oxyrinchus .</p><p>Description. One of the largest eggcases in the Northeast Atlantic, with a total eggcase length of 235.2 ± 41.8 mm (range 140.0–280.0 mm), eggcase length of 201.4 ± 27.4 mm (range 130.0–235.0 mm) and eggcase width of 121.3 ± 10.5 mm (range 100.0–144.0 mm). Although only four historical specimens were examined, these were generally within the size range recorded in contemporary samples. The dorsal side of the eggcase is convex, while the ventral side often curves upwards giving the eggcase a bowed appearance (Figure 4 b). The capsule surface is covered with a dense fibrous layer, creating a bark-like appearance (as with D. batis, Figure 3 b), and the longitudinal fibrous strips can often peel away quite easily from the capsule edges. The outer layer is pale brown in colour, but beneath these fibres the capsule itself is much darker with faint longitudinal striations. Strong lateral keels (average width of 20.64 mm for both keels) run the length of the eggcase, encompassing the anterior and posterior horns. The anterior apron is broad and well-developed, also encompassing much of the anterior horns, although the upper end is often ragged (even in unhatched eggcases) and can be damaged easily. The posterior apron is slightly shallower than the anterior, but is still broad, often crenulated and extends the length of the posterior horns. The horns are often difficult to determine in dry, strandline specimens, however when hydrated the anterior horns are visibly longer than the stout posterior horns.</p><p>Remarks. This is one of the largest eggcases found around the British Isles, rivalled only by that of white skate Rostroraja alba (Lacepede, 1803) . Strandline specimens often have large areas where the pale close-felt fibres have worn away to reveal the darker capsule beneath, this leaves the surface appearing patchy. Boeseman (1967) described an eggcase collected in the Firth of Clyde, which was attributed originally to D. nidarosiensis . However, the size (eggcase length = 251 mm; eggcase width = 9 5–98 mm), location and description of this eggcase agrees more closely with that of D. cf. intermedia .</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C2E354FFC8FFCDFF49FB1EFD8F5C89	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Gordon, Cat A.;Hood, Ali R.;Ellis, Jim R.	Gordon, Cat A., Hood, Ali R., Ellis, Jim R. (2016): Descriptions and revised key to the eggcases of the skates (Rajiformes: Rajidae) and catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) of the British Isles. Zootaxa 4150 (3): 255-280, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.2
03C2E354FFC9FFC2FF49F9DEFA865E05.text	03C2E354FFC9FFC2FF49F9DEFA865E05.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Leucoraja naevus (Müller & Henle 1841) Muller & Henle 1841	<div><p>Leucoraja naevus (Müller &amp; Henle, 1841)</p><p>Distribution. Cuckoo ray ( L. naevus) is relatively widespread in the Northeast Atlantic, occurring from Morocco to Norway, including the Mediterranean Sea (Stehmann &amp; Bürkel, 1984; Serena et al., 2010). Juveniles are found further offshore than the young of Raja spp. (Ellis et al., 2005). Records submitted to the Great Eggcase Hunt were collected predominantly from southwest England, although verified reports have been made along the southern and western coasts of England and Wales, with scattered reports from Scotland and the Northern Isles.</p><p>Material examined. Ninety-four specimens were examined overall, including those recorded from the Great Eggcase Hunt (n = 52) and trawl surveys (n = 39), with three museum specimens also examined (BMNH 1927.1.31.1–3). Specimens from trawl surveys were captured primarily by beam trawl in the western English Channel and Celtic Sea, over the area from 49.1– 50.9°N and 3.9 –6.7°W, and in waters 84–118 m deep.</p><p>Description. The eggcase of L. naevus is small (eggcase length 50.0 ± 13.2 mm; 31.6–65.2 mm) but has extended horns (Figure 2 c), and the range of total eggcase length is 156.8–197.9 mm. The three historical specimens examined closely matched the size range recorded in contemporary samples. Both dorsal and ventral surfaces are convex, with obvious longitudinal striations on both surfaces. The eggcase is without keels and the dorsal and ventral surfaces meet seamlessly at the margin. The anterior apron is pronounced and convex whereas the posterior apron is sometimes lacking. The anterior horns are long (on average representing 48% of the entire eggcase length) and in complete specimens curve inwards and often overlap. The posterior horns are shorter than the capsule length and often terminate in hooks.</p><p>Remarks. As the anterior horns are so long and delicate, they are often broken in strandline specimens, which can sometimes cause confusion with Raja montagui Fowler, 1910 when attempting identification. However, as the capsule is biconvex and has a more rounded appearance, it is still distinct from the other species found in European inshore waters. The mean eggcase width in the present study was within the range of previous reports (Table 1), but mean eggcase length was slightly shorter than recorded in earlier studies.</p><p>No comparative material for the related sandy ray Leucoraja circularis (Couch, 1838) and shagreen ray Leucoraja fullonica (Linnaeus, 1758) were available during this study. Some of the earlier descriptions of the eggcases of what was purported to be L. circularis should be treated with care, as cuckoo ray was sometimes referred to as Raia circularis in early accounts, as noted by Clark (1922). Both L. circularis and L. fullonica have eggcases of similar shape to L. naevus, with preliminary descriptions given by Desbrosses (1931). The eggcases of these two species are both larger than the cuckoo ray, ranging from 83–92 mm long and 45–53 mm wide in L. circularis and 75–89 mm long and 45–67 mm wide in L. fullonica (Desbrosses, 1931; Wheeler, 1969; Table 1).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C2E354FFC9FFC2FF49F9DEFA865E05	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Gordon, Cat A.;Hood, Ali R.;Ellis, Jim R.	Gordon, Cat A., Hood, Ali R., Ellis, Jim R. (2016): Descriptions and revised key to the eggcases of the skates (Rajiformes: Rajidae) and catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) of the British Isles. Zootaxa 4150 (3): 255-280, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.2
03C2E354FFC6FFC1FF49FC1AFC195B90.text	03C2E354FFC6FFC1FF49FC1AFC195B90.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Raja brachyura Lafont 1873	<div><p>Raja brachyura Lafont, 1873</p><p>Distribution. Blonde ray ( R. brachyura) occurs from the northern British Isles to southern Portugal, including parts of the Mediterranean Sea (Stehmann &amp; Bürkel, 1984; Serena et al., 2010). It has a patchy distribution but is relatively common in the inner shelf seas of the Irish Sea, St George’s Channel, Bristol Channel, English Channel and parts of the southern North Sea, with juveniles often reported from inshore waters (Ellis et al., 2005). Verified R. brachyura eggcases recorded to the Great Eggcase Hunt were mostly from the southern and southwestern coasts of England as well as the Channel Islands, although reports were submitted from around the rest of the British coastline.</p><p>Material examined. Fifty-three eggcases were examined in total. Most specimens sampled (n = 43) were collected from beaches in southwestern England by the Great Eggcase Hunt. Other specimens were from trawl surveys (n = 6), public aquaria (n = 2) and museum collections (n = 2). Of the latter, one specimen was from western Ireland (BMNH 94.3.29.31 as Raja) and the other had no geographic information.</p><p>Description. The eggcase of R. brachyura (Figure 5 a) is large, with an average eggcase length of 108.6 ± 10.1 mm (82.0–132.0 mm) and eggcase width of 32.7–86.4 mm. If the horns are intact, then total eggcase length can range from 119.5–255.0 mm. Both sides of the capsule are convex, however the dorsal side predominantly so, with both sides displaying distinct longitudinal striations. Well-defined keels extend from the narrowest point of the eggcase at the base of the anterior apron, to the point where the posterior horns join the capsule. Both the anterior and posterior aprons are distinctive and well-developed, with the anterior apron straight (but often frayed) and the posterior apron concave. Recently deposited eggcases are covered with thin fibres, which can often still be visible in strandline specimens (particularly on the aprons, where the fibres tend to be paler in colour). The anterior and posterior horns are thick, with the anterior horns longer than the posterior horns (when intact).</p><p>Remarks. R. brachyura is one of the largest commonly-occurring eggcases found around the British Isles. The two historic samples examined (BMNH 94.3.29.31 and BMNH 2013.12.7.1; the latter re-catalogued) were 105.0– 132.2 mm long without horns, with a greatest width of 68.0–74.0 mm; these were both at the upper end of the size range observed in contemporary samples. Spent specimens found on the beach are often badly damaged with broken horns, which can hamper identification to species. If damaged and dehydrated, specimens may be confused with R. clavata, although the eggcase of R. brachyura is larger. The eggcase lengths and widths recorded in the present study extended the known size range for this species.</p><p>……continued on the next page</p><p>Species Eggcase wiđth Eggcase length Comments anđ source 62 80 Lacourt (1979; Fig. 1) 50 70 Bor (1998; Fig. 13) 52 (50*54) 75 (70*78) 128 (121*135) Capapé (1976; n=82) 48.0 ± 5.0 65.0 ± 5.0 Maia et al. (2015; n=57) 37.0 ± 8.2 35.1 ± 2.6 67.2 ± 10.0 122.0 ± 12.1 This stuđy</p><p>(32.7*69.0; n=52) (32.2*45.0; n=52) (32.7*83.3; n=52) (99.3*153.0; n=52)</p><p>……continued on the next page Species Eggcase wiđth Eggcase length Comments anđ source 31</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C2E354FFC6FFC1FF49FC1AFC195B90	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Gordon, Cat A.;Hood, Ali R.;Ellis, Jim R.	Gordon, Cat A., Hood, Ali R., Ellis, Jim R. (2016): Descriptions and revised key to the eggcases of the skates (Rajiformes: Rajidae) and catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) of the British Isles. Zootaxa 4150 (3): 255-280, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.2
03C2E354FFC2FFC7FF49FAE6FDD15CF4.text	03C2E354FFC2FFC7FF49FAE6FDD15CF4.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Raja clavata Linnaeus 1758	<div><p>Raja clavata Linnaeus, 1758</p><p>Distribution. Thornback ray ( R. clavata) is one of the most abundant elasmobranchs in the Northeast Atlantic and has a broad distribution from Iceland and Norway to Northwest Africa and the Mediterranean Sea (Stehmann &amp; Bürkel, 1984; Serena et al., 2010). The eggcases of R. clavata were reported frequently to the Great Eggcase Hunt, with submissions from nearly all of the British coastline, albeit with only scattered reports from the northeast coast of England.</p><p>Material examined. Fifty-two eggcases were examined in detail, of which the majority (n = 38) were collected by the Great Eggcase Hunt, with other specimens from trawl surveys (n = 4), museum collections (n = 3; BMNH 1927.3.25.1, BMNH 91.6.18.66–67) and public aquaria (n = 7).</p><p>Description. The eggcase of R. clavata (Figure 5 b) is robust and of moderate size, with an eggcase length of 67.2 ± 10.0 mm (32.7–83.3 mm) and eggcase width of 37.0 ± 8.2 mm (32.7–69.0 mm). These values, however, mask a diversity in both size and the length to width ratio, with eggcases varying from rectangular to square, as shown by the width of the eggcase ranging from 62.3–91.0% of the eggcase length. This is demonstrated by one aberrant museum specimen (BMNH 1927.13.25.1), which measured 76 mm eggcase length by 69 mm eggcase width (Figure 5 c). One of the museum specimens examined (BMNH 91.6.18.67) was the largest R. clavata eggcase measured (eggcase length = 83.3 mm), with the two others within the upper limits of the sizes observed in contemporary material.</p><p>The dorsal surface of the capsule is distinctly more convex than the ventral. Freshly-laid specimens are covered with thin fibres (Figure 3 c) and although these are often lost by the time of stranding, evidence of remnant fibres can be visible on the keels and less abraded areas. The lateral keels are well-formed and sturdy, often remaining intact in strandline specimens. The keels extend from the base of the anterior horns, down the length of the capsule and terminate where the posterior horns join the capsule. The anterior apron is marginally larger than the posterior and is straight, while the posterior apron is slightly convex, but often broken away neatly in stranded samples, giving the appearance of a very narrow apron. The anterior horns are marginally longer than the posterior and curve inwards slightly. The lengths and widths of the eggcases recorded in the present study extended the reported size range for this species.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C2E354FFC2FFC7FF49FAE6FDD15CF4	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Gordon, Cat A.;Hood, Ali R.;Ellis, Jim R.	Gordon, Cat A., Hood, Ali R., Ellis, Jim R. (2016): Descriptions and revised key to the eggcases of the skates (Rajiformes: Rajidae) and catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) of the British Isles. Zootaxa 4150 (3): 255-280, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.2
03C2E354FFC3FFC4FF49FE4AFD475F95.text	03C2E354FFC3FFC4FF49FE4AFD475F95.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Raja microocellata Montagu 1818	<div><p>Raja microocellata Montagu, 1818</p><p>Distribution. Small-eyed ray ( R. microocellata) is found in coastal waters from the British Isles south to Morocco, and is locally abundant in certain areas, such as the Bristol Channel (Stehmann &amp; Bürkel, 1984). Juveniles occur in shallow water, while adults occur further offshore, usually in water no deeper than 100 m (Ellis et al., 2005). Eggcases reported to the Great Eggcase Hunt were usually from the southwestern coasts of England.</p><p>Material examined. Fifty-seven eggcases were examined in total; the majority (n = 48) were found on beaches and submitted to the Great Eggcase Hunt project, and the remaining eggcases were provided by public aquaria (n = 9).</p><p>Description. The eggcase of R. microocellata (Figure 6 a) is of moderate size, with a mean eggcase length of 81.2 ± 6.5 mm (70.0– 94.9 mm), and eggcase width of 35.3 ± 4.7 mm (30.7–59.2 mm). Although the eggcase capsule is biconvex, when positioned on its ventral surface the short posterior horns curve upwards, giving the eggcase an overall concave appearance. The capsule has fine, close-packed longitudinal striations on both dorsal and ventral surfaces. The eggcase is broadest across the anterior of the capsule at the base of the horns and usually tapers in width towards the base of the posterior horns, where it is narrowest. Narrow but robust lateral keels extend along the capsule, beginning at the base of the anterior horns and continuing the length of the posterior horns all the way to the tips. The anterior apron is broad and straight but often absent by the time of stranding. The posterior apron is small and concave, stretching the length of the horns. The anterior horns are elongated and narrow into long filamentous tubes which, if intact, can be equal to the capsule length; in contrast, the posterior horns are short, stocky and slightly hooked, curving upwards.</p><p>Remarks. Anterior horns can be broken easily on stranded specimens as they are fine and delicate. Egg-laying activity peaks between June and September (Ryland &amp; Ajayi, 1984) and recently hatched fish occur in very shallow water, but the exact sites of egg deposition are unknown. The reported size of the eggcase of this species appears to be much larger in early studies (Williamson 1913; Le Danois 1913; Clark 1922) than in subsequent studies including present observations (Table 1).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C2E354FFC3FFC4FF49FE4AFD475F95	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Gordon, Cat A.;Hood, Ali R.;Ellis, Jim R.	Gordon, Cat A., Hood, Ali R., Ellis, Jim R. (2016): Descriptions and revised key to the eggcases of the skates (Rajiformes: Rajidae) and catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) of the British Isles. Zootaxa 4150 (3): 255-280, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.2
03C2E354FFC0FFC4FF49FCAAFDE35B72.text	03C2E354FFC0FFC4FF49FCAAFDE35B72.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Raja montagui Fowler 1910	<div><p>Raja montagui Fowler, 1910</p><p>Distribution. Spotted ray ( R. montagui) is distributed widely in the Northeast Atlantic, ranging from the Shetland Islands to Morocco, including the Algerian and Tunisian coasts of the Mediterranean Sea (Stehmann &amp; Bürkel, 1984; Serena et al., 2010). It occurs in inshore waters and shallow shelf seas at depths of 8–283 m (Ellis et al., 2005), although it is found more frequently at depths less than 100 m. Juveniles usually occur closer inshore on sandy sediments. Eggcases have been submitted to the Great Eggcase Hunt from the majority of the British coastline, although there were very few reports from the east coast of Scotland and northeast coast of England.</p><p>Material examined. Fifty-two eggcases were measured in total; including specimens from the Great Eggcase Hunt (n = 33), trawl surveys (n = 16) and from public aquaria (n = 3).</p><p>Description. The eggcase length of R. montagui (Figure 7 a) is 56.5 ± 13.7 mm (31.6–75.4 mm), and eggcase width is 34.1 ± 1.6 mm (29.0– 36.7 mm). The capsule has fine longitudinal striations which run the length of the eggcase. There are no keels on the capsule and the margins are usually cleanly fused, with occasional remnants of the attachment fibres present. The anterior apron is broad and straight, but is often broken and frayed in strandline specimens. In contrast, the posterior apron is negligible. The posterior horns are marginally shorter than the anterior horns and end in small hooks.</p><p>Remarks. The eggcase of R. montagui is similar in appearance to that of R. undulata and there is a degree of overlap of eggcase size. Hence, the eggcases of these two species can often be confused, particularly in areas where they both occur, such as the English Channel. The eggcase of R. montagui can be almost translucent when held to the light, and it is generally smaller, less robust and of a cleaner appearance than the larger R. undulata eggcase, which often has attachment fibres. The eggcase lengths and widths recorded in the present study extended the known size range for this species.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C2E354FFC0FFC4FF49FCAAFDE35B72	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Gordon, Cat A.;Hood, Ali R.;Ellis, Jim R.	Gordon, Cat A., Hood, Ali R., Ellis, Jim R. (2016): Descriptions and revised key to the eggcases of the skates (Rajiformes: Rajidae) and catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) of the British Isles. Zootaxa 4150 (3): 255-280, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.2
03C2E354FFC0FFDAFF49F9CBFAFD5C44.text	03C2E354FFC0FFDAFF49F9CBFAFD5C44.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Raja undulata Lacepede 1802	<div><p>Raja undulata Lacepede, 1802</p><p>Distribution. Undulate ray ( R. undulata) has a patchy distribution in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea (Ellis et al., 2012), although it can be locally abundant in some areas, such as the English Channel. The majority of verified records submitted to the Great Eggcase Hunt were from the south coast of England (in particular the eastern English Channel) with some records from southwestern coasts.</p><p>Material examined. Fifty-two eggcases were examined in detail, most of which were collected by the Great Eggcase Hunt (n = 50), while the other specimens (n = 2) were from public aquaria. An additional aberrant specimen collected in January 2015 from Brighton (English Channel) was also supplied to the Great Eggcase Hunt for examination (see below).</p><p>Description. The eggcase of R. undulata (Figure 7 b) is moderately large and elongated, with an eggcase length of 80.4 ± 4.4 mm (71.9–89.4 mm) and eggcase width of 34.5 ± 0.9 mm (32.7–36.7 mm). The eggcase is biconvex with longitudinal striations on the ventral surface. The dorsal surface is often covered with a thin fibrous layer, although striations are present underneath. The eggcase is without keels, although the capsule margin has a rough edge, often with additional detritus laden fibres attached (presumably as a remnant of the mucus ‘mat’ that is associated with newly laid eggcases). The anterior apron is broad and straight, while the posterior apron is negligible. The anterior horns are marginally longer than the posterior horns, and often splay outwards.</p><p>Remarks. The eggcase of R. undulata is similar in appearance to that of R. montagui (see remarks for R. montagui) although the eggcase of R. undulata is generally larger and more robust. In this study, whilst the mean eggcase length was within the range of previously reported values, the mean eggcase width actually appeared to be reduced slightly.</p><p>One aberrant specimen (Figure 7 c) was also examined. The capsule was intact, however the anterior apron extended far beyond the typical length, with the anterior horns encompassed by, and extending beyond, this unusually large apron. The eggcase length was 107.0 mm, and despite the posterior horns being slightly damaged, the total eggcase length was approximately 221.0 mm with the eggcase width ranging from 40.0 mm (anterior) to 41.0 mm (posterior). The two surfaces of the apron were fused shut, however there was a tear in the ventral surface at the anterior end of the capsule proper, making it unclear whether or not it had contained an embryo.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C2E354FFC0FFDAFF49F9CBFAFD5C44	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Gordon, Cat A.;Hood, Ali R.;Ellis, Jim R.	Gordon, Cat A., Hood, Ali R., Ellis, Jim R. (2016): Descriptions and revised key to the eggcases of the skates (Rajiformes: Rajidae) and catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) of the British Isles. Zootaxa 4150 (3): 255-280, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.2
03C2E354FFDEFFDAFF49FEDAFD5A59BF.text	03C2E354FFDEFFDAFF49FEDAFD5A59BF.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Rostroraja alba (Lacepede 1803) Lacepede 1803	<div><p>Rostroraja alba (Lacepede, 1803)</p><p>Distribution. The biogeographic range of white skate ( R. alba) extends from the southern British Isles to South Africa, including the Mediterranean Sea (Stehmann &amp; Bürkel, 1984; Serena et al., 2010). This species is now exceedingly rare in northern European seas (Rogers &amp; Ellis, 2000). Consequently, few verified eggcases have been reported by the Great Eggcase Hunt. Most verified records have been received from southwest Ireland, however single specimens have also been verified by photograph from the north coast of Devon (England), Peterhead (Scotland) and Fair Isle (Northern Isles).</p><p>Material examined. Only five specimens of R. alba eggcases were available for examination. Three specimens were submitted to the Great Eggcase Hunt from County Kerry, Ireland, and single specimens were examined from a museum collection (BMNH 98.2.26.33) and a public aquarium.</p><p>Description. R. alba has a very large eggcase (Figure 6 b), with a mean eggcase length of 148.1 ± 24.2 mm (127.8–190.0 mm), total eggcase length of 272–506 mm when horns are fully extended and eggcase width of 126.7 ± 17.8 mm (104.3–145.0 mm). One historic specimen measured (BMNH 98.2.26.33) was particularly large, measuring 190.0 mm without horns, and 506.0 mm with horns fully extended. The eggcase is distinctly convex on the dorsal side and almost flattened on the ventral. The capsule surface is striated with densely-packed, fine, longitudinal ridges; on occasion the transverse ridges are more pronounced, giving a ‘beaded’ and lattice-like appearance (Figure 3 d). Attachment filaments are usually absent in strandline specimens although may be present in freshly laid specimens. The thick lateral keels are striated longitudinally and run the length of the eggcase. Given the size of the eggcase, the anterior and posterior aprons are both surprisingly shallow. The keels taper into long, ribbon-like anterior horns which curve inwards towards each other while the posterior horns are relatively short, each terminating with a distinct hook which is orientated towards the flat surface of the eggcase.</p><p>Remarks. Along with Dipturus cf. intermedia, this is one of the largest eggcases found in UK and Irish waters. Holt (1898) described the eggcase of R. alba, citing a midline eggcase length of 174 mm, eggcase width of 138 mm, and with the capsule 133 mm by 105 mm.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C2E354FFDEFFDAFF49FEDAFD5A59BF	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Gordon, Cat A.;Hood, Ali R.;Ellis, Jim R.	Gordon, Cat A., Hood, Ali R., Ellis, Jim R. (2016): Descriptions and revised key to the eggcases of the skates (Rajiformes: Rajidae) and catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) of the British Isles. Zootaxa 4150 (3): 255-280, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.2
03C2E354FFDEFFDBFF49FA8FFB795A62.text	03C2E354FFDEFFDBFF49FA8FFB795A62.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Galeus melastomus Rafinesque 1810	<div><p>Galeus melastomus Rafinesque, 1810</p><p>Distribution. Black-mouth catshark ( G. melastomus) is distributed widely on the outer continental shelf and upper slope in the Northeast Atlantic, from Norway to Senegal, including the Mediterranean Sea (Stehmann &amp; Bürkel, 1984). Despite being relatively widespread, this is a deeper-water species and so eggcases are rarely washed ashore and reported to the Great Eggcase Hunt. Only two verified specimens have been submitted to the Great Eggcase Hunt at the time of writing, one from North Uist (Outer Hebrides) and the other from Rossnowlagh, Donegal (Ireland).</p><p>Material examined. Seven samples were examined in total, of which one from North Uist was recorded by the Great Eggcase Hunt. The remaining six specimens were from museum collections (BMNH 1934.8.8.3a, BMNH 1934.8.8.4a, BMNH 1928.9.18.13–16), with two recorded from southwest Ireland and the remainder of unknown provenance.</p><p>Description. The eggcase of G. melastomus (Figure 8 a; Table 2) is similar in shape and appearance to S. canicula however it lacks the curly tendrils of Scyliorhinus . The mean eggcase length is 58.9 ± 11.3 mm (33.6–65.0 mm) and eggcase width is 20.4 ± 1.8 mm (17.1–23.0 mm). It is a small and neatly-formed eggcase with longitudinal striations visible on the capsule surface. The capsule is flattened towards the anterior neck and biconvex towards the wider posterior end. Keels are absent and in their place are small ridges that join the dorsal and ventral sides together. In place of tendrils, this eggcase has short anterior horns which form small hooks that curve inwards. The posterior horns are also short and hooked, curving in to meet each other.</p><p>Remarks. This species displays multiple oviparity, and 13–14 eggcases have been found in a female’s oviduct (Costa et al., 2005). Several studies have reported concentrations of G. melastomus eggcases on biogenic habitats (Treude et al., 2011; Henry et al., 2013). The eggcase of the related Atlantic sawtail catshark Galeus atlanticus (Vaillant, 1888), which occurs south of the present study area, was described by Rey et al. (2010), and is smaller than G. melastomus .</p><p>Species Eggcase width Eggcase length Width of collar Comments and source</p><p>Without horns/ With horns/</p><p>tendrils tendrils</p><p>Galeus 20 64 Lacourt (1979; Fig. 5)</p><p>melastomus 20.4 ± 1.8 58.9 ± 11.3 66.4 ± 14.2 14.8 ± 1.5 This study (17.1–23.0; n=7) (33.6–65.0; n=7) (34.8–74.0; n=7) (14.0–18.0; n=7)</p><p>Scyliorhinus 25 60 Lacourt (1979; Fig. 6)</p><p>canicula 23 55 Bor (1998; Fig. 7) Distribution. Small-spotted catshark ( S. canicula) is widespread in the shelf seas of the Northeast Atlantic, from Norway to western Africa, including the Mediterranean Sea (Stehmann &amp; Bürkel, 1984). It is one of the most abundant sharks around the British Isles. The eggcases are commonly washed ashore around much of the coastline, observed in trawl surveys and encountered in situ by divers and snorkelers.</p><p>Material examined. Fifty-two eggcases were examined in total. The majority (n = 50) were recorded by the Great Eggcase Hunt, with the remainder provided by public aquaria (n = 2).</p><p>Description. The eggcase of S. canicula (Figure 8 b; Table 2) is of a similar shape to S. stellaris, however the elongated capsule is much smaller and less robust. The eggcase is 40.1 ± 11.8 mm (31.0–74.0 mm) in length and has a greatest width of 21.8 ± 2.3 mm (17.8–31.0 mm). The eggcase is biconvex towards the wider posterior end and flattened towards the anterior end. As the capsule flattens the width narrows to form a collar, before widening again slightly at the anterior end. Keels are absent, but narrow margins join the dorsal and ventral sides. The anterior of the eggcase is straight, while the posterior is concave, and aprons are absent. Fine, elongated and curled tendrils extend from the terminus of the marginal walls on each corner of the capsule. The colour is not a reliable identification feature as it is highly variable, ranging from pale amber to dark brown or black.</p><p>Remarks. The tendrils are used to anchor the eggcase to a variety of structures, including macroalgae in the shallow sublittoral, and various sessile invertebrates (sponges, hydroids, soft corals, bryozoans, ascidians) are used further offshore (Ellis &amp; Shackley, 1997). The eggcases of S. canicula can often be found in large masses where the tendrils have knotted together, forming large ‘nests’. The capsule of the eggcase is similar in size to that of G. melastomus and so could cause confusion if the tendrils have been broken. Mellinger (1983) noted that individual, captive-held specimens each laid eggcases distinct in terms of size, shape and colouration.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C2E354FFDEFFDBFF49FA8FFB795A62	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Gordon, Cat A.;Hood, Ali R.;Ellis, Jim R.	Gordon, Cat A., Hood, Ali R., Ellis, Jim R. (2016): Descriptions and revised key to the eggcases of the skates (Rajiformes: Rajidae) and catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) of the British Isles. Zootaxa 4150 (3): 255-280, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.2
03C2E354FFDFFFD9FF49F83BFF245CF4.text	03C2E354FFDFFFD9FF49F83BFF245CF4.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Scyliorhinus stellaris (Linnaeus 1758) Linnaeus 1758	<div><p>Scyliorhinus stellaris (Linnaeus, 1758)</p><p>Distribution. Nursehound ( S. stellaris) is present in the Northeast Atlantic from southern Scandinavia to Morocco, including the Mediterranean Sea (Stehmann &amp; Bürkel, 1984). Around the British Isles, it is most abundant in shallow waters close to rocky shores in the Irish Sea and English Channel (Ellis et al., 2005). The eggcases reported to the Great Eggcase Hunt were predominantly from along the southern and western coasts of England and Wales.</p><p>Material examined. Fifty-eight eggcases were examined. Of these, the majority (n = 45) were from the Great Eggcase Hunt (submitted mainly from southwestern coasts of England). Others were collected during trawl surveys in the Irish Sea (n = 4), examined from museum collections (n = 8; BMNH 1927.3.11.1–4; BMNH 1910.1.18.2 labelled incorrectly as Scyllium canicula; BMNH 1940.4.2.1 labelled incorrectly as Scyliorhinus canicula; BMNH 2008.10.8.3; BMNH 89.2.1.4496) and from a public aquarium (n = 1).</p><p>Description. The eggcase of S. stellaris (Figure 8 c; Table 2) is moderately large and elongated, typically 106.4 ± 7.2 mm (89.0– 125.1 mm) in length and with a greatest eggcase width of 34.1 ± 0.9 mm (32.7–36.7 mm). The capsule is flattened along the neck of the eggcase towards the anterior end, and both dorsal and ventral surfaces are convex towards the posterior end. Instead of keels, the eggcase has well developed marginal walls bearing pronounced latitudinal grooves. The anterior of the eggcase is broad, straight and has no apron. The posterior end is concave with a narrow apron. Thick, curled tendrils extend from the terminus of the marginal walls on each corner of the capsule with grooves extending the length of the tendrils. The capsule, which has irregular longitudinal striations, varies in colour from light amber to dark brown, but occasionally even green or black, or displaying pigmentation.</p><p>Remarks. This is the largest eggcase of an oviparous shark found in the Northeast Atlantic. The length and width of historic samples (n = 8) closely matched the size range of contemporary samples measured during this study. The curled tendrils extending from the capsule are used to anchor the eggcase to a substrate while the embryo develops over a 9–11 month incubation period (Orton, 1926). The eggcases are deposited frequently on macroalgae in shallow water, and sessile invertebrates in slightly deeper water, including pink sea fan Eunicella verrucosa (Pallas, 1766) . The senior author has also observed the eggcases of this species in shallow waters off Wembury Point (Devon, England), mostly attached to the algae Cystoseira tamariscifolia (Hudson) Papenfuss, 1950 .</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C2E354FFDFFFD9FF49F83BFF245CF4	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Gordon, Cat A.;Hood, Ali R.;Ellis, Jim R.	Gordon, Cat A., Hood, Ali R., Ellis, Jim R. (2016): Descriptions and revised key to the eggcases of the skates (Rajiformes: Rajidae) and catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) of the British Isles. Zootaxa 4150 (3): 255-280, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.2
