Genus Maculabatis gen. nov.

Type species Trygon gerrardi Gray, 1851:116; newly proposed.

Definition. Small to large dasyatids (adults to 42–116 cm DW) characterised by the following: firm, rather depressed to robust, suboval to rhombic disc with pectoral-fin apex narrowly angular to rounded; snout broadly angular, short to moderately elongate (1.7–2.7 times combined orbit and spiracle length); eye small and protruding slightly; nasal curtain skirt-shaped; mouth narrow with 2–5 oral papillae (lateral papillae present in most species); tail long, whip-like (length 1.8–3.4 times DW), its base typically narrow and oval to almost circular in cross section; pelvic fins small, almost entirely concealed by disc; dorsal fold and ventral folds absent; caudal sting close to tail base (distance from pectoral-fin insertion to caudal-sting base 1.9–2.5 times interspiracular width); 1–3 variably developed mid-scapular thorns or thorns in row on nape, no other scapular thorns; denticle band well developed with edge sharply defined, skin on rest of disc naked or with patchy denticles; no row of enlarged median thorns on tail, fine denticles posteriorly in most adults; dorsal surface plain or with spotted colour pattern; ventral surface white, disc sometimes dark or yellow edged; posterior tail typically half or fully banded in young; marine, Indo– West Pacific.

Etymology. Combination of the Latin macula (stain, mark, spot) and batis (skate, ray, flatfish) alludes to the spotted coloration and/or black-and-white banded tail of most members of the genus.

Species. M. astra (Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto & Pogonoski, 2008), M. gerrardi (Gray, 1851), M. macrura (Bleeker, 1852), M. pastinacoides (Bleeker, 1852), M. randalli (Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto & Moore, 2012), M. toshi (Whitley, 1939) and three undescribed species.

Remarks. Newly erected, morphologically similar genus consisting of nine medium to large, marine whiprays previously placed in Himantura . The group contains at least three new species that are presently being described by the authors and their associates. Molecular analyses have divided the group into two subgroups; one containing largely black-spotted and/or white-spotted whiprays (gerrardi-complex), and another of largely plain-coloured whiprays (pastinacoides-complex) (see Fig. 3).