Aetonyx is a dinosaur from the Early Jurassic period, around 201 to 193 million years ago. It was found in southern Africa, particularly near a place called Fouriesburg in the Free State Province. The only known species of Aetonyx is called Aetonyx palustris.
The dinosaur was first described by a scientist named Robert Broom in 1911. He based his description on a collection of bone fragments that were discovered. These bones included parts from the neck, back, tail, shoulder, and limbs.
Interestingly, Broom thought Aetonyx might have been a carnivorous dinosaur, meaning it ate meat. However, this idea changed over time as more information became available. Another scientist, Sydney H. Haughton, added another set of bones to Aetonyx in 1924, which were also found in the same area.
Later scientists suggested that Aetonyx might not be a distinct dinosaur after all. They compared it to other dinosaurs and found similarities that led them to believe it should be grouped with a different dinosaur called Massospondylus. Massospondylus is another type of early dinosaur known to have lived in the same time period.
As time went on, it became unclear how unique Aetonyx really was. In 2004, researchers stated that Aetonyx palustris could not be easily identified as a distinct species and listed it as an unsure dinosaur.
The name “Aetonyx” comes from Greek words meaning “eagle claw.” This may refer to a large claw shape on its second toe that resembled those found in birds.
In summary, Aetonyx is a dinosaur that we know very little about today. It might have been an early plant-eater rather than a meat-eater as once thought, and its classification has changed many times throughout history.