Dinosaur names can often be complex, leading many to wonder which dinosaur has the shortest name. This article identifies that dinosaur, explores other short-named contenders, and explains the process behind how these prehistoric giants receive their scientific identities.
The Shortest Dinosaur Name
The dinosaur with the shortest name is Yi. Its full scientific name is Yi qi, with Yi being the genus name. At two letters, Yi is the shortest genus name allowed by naming conventions. The name “Yi qi” translates from Mandarin Chinese as “strange wing,” referencing its unusual features.
Yi qi was a small, pigeon-sized non-avian dinosaur found in China, dating to the Middle to Late Jurassic period, around 160 million years ago. It belongs to the scansoriopterygid family, a group known for tree-dwelling adaptations. Yi qi had bat-like membranous wings, supported by an elongated third finger and a rod-like bone extending from its wrist. This combination of feathers and membrane was an unexpected discovery, showcasing a different evolutionary experiment with flight among dinosaurs, likely enabling it to glide.
Other Exceptionally Short Names
Several other dinosaurs also have short names. One such example is Mei, from the full name Mei long, which translates to “sleeping dragon” in Chinese. This small, bird-like troodontid dinosaur, roughly the size of a duck, lived in China during the Early Cretaceous period, about 125 million years ago. Mei is famous for its fossil specimen found in a sleeping posture, with its head tucked under its forearm and legs folded, similar to how modern birds rest.
Another short-named dinosaur is Minmi, an armored dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous period in Australia. Minmi was a small, quadrupedal ankylosaur, measuring around 2.5 to 3 meters (approximately 8 to 10 feet) long, and notable for its unique armor plating, including small and large scutes and bony plates that ran along its back and belly. Its relatively long legs and ossified tendons suggest it could run faster than other armored dinosaurs.
Oryctodromeus, meaning “digging runner,” is another dinosaur with a relatively short name, often informally shortened to Ory. This small, bipedal ornithopod lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 95 to 105 million years ago, in what is now Montana and Idaho, USA. Oryctodromeus is significant because fossil evidence, including specimens found within burrows, indicates it was capable of digging and living underground, a rare behavior among dinosaurs. Its robust forelimbs and adaptations for moving soil supported this burrowing lifestyle, likely offering protection from predators and environmental extremes.
Understanding Dinosaur Naming Conventions
Dinosaur names follow a standardized system known as binomial nomenclature, which applies to all living and extinct organisms. This system requires each species to have a two-part scientific name: a capitalized genus name followed by a lowercase species name, both typically italicized. These names are often derived from Latin or Greek words, reflecting characteristics of the animal, the location of discovery, or honoring individuals involved in their study.
For instance, names can describe anatomical features, such as Triceratops, meaning “three-horned face.” They might also indicate where the fossil was found, like Edmontosaurus, named after Edmonton, Canada. Sometimes, names honor paleontologists or other significant figures. While many dinosaur names are long and complex, some, like Yi, are deliberately short. This brevity can be for ease of pronunciation or due to the unique nature of the discovery, adhering to the minimum letter requirements set by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.