Maynard (1919a:14) first used the binomen S. aspera as a nomen nudum. He again used this taxon name as an example of sand gathering (Maynard, 1920a:77) and elongated (Maynard, 1920b:89) phenotypes, in each instance citing an illustration of the shell (Maynard, 1920b:fig. 57). A colored version of this illustration appeared in Maynard (1920b:pl. 12, fig. 1). Both illustrations were published with the caption "S. aspera M & C." The usage in Maynard (1920a:77) is also a nomen nudum. The association of a new species group name with an illustration of the taxon being named prior to 1930 made the name Strophiops aspera Maynard and Clapp in Maynard, 1920b: fig. 57, pl. 12, fig. 1 available (Article 12.2.7, ICZN, 1999:17) prior to the intended description of this species (Maynard and Clapp in Maynard, 1920d:116; Map 1, 4; Plate 1, figs. 9,10). Due to Maynard's unintended taxonomic act, the binomen Strophiops aspera becomes available on April 8, 1920, but retained the same authorship.
Intended taxon description from Maynard and Clapp in Maynard (1920d:116):
"3. S. aspera.
Smaller, 1.06 by .30; costae, 11; aperture, small, 15. Pale flesh-color externally; yellowish white within. A. few young have transient teeth. Among dwarf palms in an area about 300 yards long by some 150 wide along the 3d beach north of south end of key. Map 1, 4, Abundant, but mostly dead. Out of 1500 collected 70 only were living. Plate 1. figs. 9 10."