[1] Well-preserved holomorphic ray fossils have been known from Late Jurassic Lagerstätte deposits throughout Europe since the mid-19th century, characterized by their complete, articulated preservation including soft tissue outlines.

[8] A thorough review of Jurassic batomorphs in 2024 allowed researchers to reidentify several specimens previously categorized as a large Spathobatis morphotype as belong to the new genus Aellopobatis.

[8][6] In their 2025 description of Apolithabatis, Türtscher et al. analyzed most of the Jurassic European holomorphic ray fossils.

Their phylogenetic analysis placed all of these taxa in a monophyletic clade at the base of Batomorphi, outside of the crown group (all of the extant rays and their closest relatives).

The authors emphasized that, while several consistent characters unite these genera within a group, the order is a working hypothesis subject to change with the future description of additional specimens.