Here’s the Syntarsus of Many Names

Syntarsus
The Syntarsus has gone through several names since it was first discovered and named (by M. A. Raath 1969). This dinosaur has been through a lot of taxonomic changes, but there’s more to Syntarsus than its many names. The tiny, early Jurassic carnivore was quick and smart, and some Syntarsuses even had a crest on their head!

Some Quick Facts about the Syntarsus

What Family Does the Syntarsus Belong to?
An adult Syntarsus with a neck frill
NameSyntarsus (meaning “fused ankle”)
Type of dinosaurTheropoda
TerritoryWoodland areas of North America and South Africa
Size7.2 feet long, 2.5 feet tall
ColorDark
Interesting CharacteristicsS-shaped neck, long hind limbs like a bird, short fore limbs with four fingers, and a long tail
DietCarnivore
Major ThreatsNatural disasters (flash floods), Habitat loss, bigger dinosaurs

The Syntarsus is the former name of a theropod dinosaur closely related to the Coelophysis (Coelophysis bauri) and Procompsognathus (Procompsognathus triassicus). When paleontologist M. A. Raath named this new species of the theropod dinosaur Syntarsus, he was unaware that a species of beetle already had the name. In 2001, Ivie, Slipinski, and Węgrzynowicz proposed a new name, Megapnosaurus.

What Are Other Names for Syntarsus?

The current and agreed-upon name for Syntarsus is now Megapnosaurus. Its scientific name has also been changed from Syntarsus rhodesiensis to Coelophysis rhodesiensis. The current scientific name is Megapnosaurus rhodesiensis. Syntarsus kayentakatae was also changed to genus Coelophysis, then Megapnosaurus. But why all the name changes?

Syntarsus turned out to be the synonym of a beetle. So scientists set out to change the name, but M. A. Raath didn’t answer emails about Syntarsus and this unfortunate coincidence. Some scientists decided that M. A. Raath was probably dead and decided to go ahead with giving Syntarsus a new name.

The name Megapnosaurus means “Big dead lizard” and was chosen as a joke. But the name stuck, and M. A. Raath eventually resurfaced. He was upset at the name and the change, but it was already too late!

What Family Does the Syntarsus Belong to?

The taxonomy for Syntarsus has changed quite a bit since 1969. Syntarsus has been classified in the family Podokesauridae, Procompsognathidae, Ceratosauria, and Coelophysidae. Currently, Syntarsus is classified as the family Coelophysidae/Coelophysoidea (Rowe, Ezcurra, and Tykoski).

The original taxon Podokesauridae was thrown out when a fire destroyed the only evidence that the Podokesauridae family may have existed.

As if that’s not confusing enough, there are scientists who argue the Syntarsus is just another Coelophysis and not a separate species. Because there is so much to learn about the Syntarsus and so much debate about where Syntarsus belongs, paleontologists Marsh and Rowe retain the generic name of the Syntarsus specimens in the original taxa. They will do this until phylogenetic analyses give science the final answer on Syntarsus.

Where Have Syntarsus Fossils Been Found?

How Long Did a Syntarsus Live?
A Syntarsus with a nose crest

Syntarsus fossils have been found in Arizona (Syntarsus kayentakatae) and Zimbabwe (Syntarsus rhodesiensis). The Syntarsus from Arizona have crests and look a lot like the Dilophosaurus. The Syntarsus from Zimbabwe does not have crests.

Syntarsus fossils are usually found in large groups. In Zimbabwe, 30 Syntarsus fossils were found tangled together. Eventually, paleontologists decided that this group had been killed in a flash flood. Because they died together in such a large herd, we know that Syntarsus hunted and lived together.

How Long Did a Syntarsus Live?

Syntarsus lived for around 7 years. We know this because of the growth rings on their bones. With so many fossils available, we have a lot more information about Syntarsus than other species of dinosaurs.

Syntarsus also had large eye sockets. The size and structure of the eyes led paleontologists to believe that Syntarsus hunted at night instead of during the day. Even though they were pretty small, their large numbers and the cover in darkness made the Syntarsus excellent hunters!

The Syntarsus and its many names remain a mystery to scientists. Luckily the Syntarsus–or Megapnosaurus as it’s known today–has plenty of fossils for researchers to study. Who knows, when we find out more about Syntarsus/Megapnosaurus, we might find another different name for this feisty meat eater!

Vianna Arenas

Vianna Arenas is an enthusiastic seeker of knowledge, nature lover, and history buff. When she's not writing about dinosaurs, you can find her camping and hiking with her family.

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