The synaptonemal complex was described by Montrose J. Moses in 1956 in primary spermatocytes of crayfish and by D. Fawcett in spermatocytes of pigeon, cat and man.
O complexo sinaptonémico foi descrito por Montrose J. Moses en 1956 nos espermatocitos primarios do cangrexo de río e por D. Fawcett en espermatocitos de pomba, gato e home.