because the two continents were originally joined (Gondwana land) and as such share common fossil ancestors
Mesosaurus
South America
No.
Fossils of the glossopteris fern, which have been found across South America, Africa, India, Antarctica, and Australia. Fossil eveidence of a triassic land reiple lystrosaurus are also found across Africa, India, Antarctica and Australia.
It was because of fossils that scientist found.
Mesosaurus fossils found in both South America and Africa suggest that these continents were once connected. Mesosaurus was a freshwater reptile, incapable of crossing vast oceans, which implies the existence of a single landmass – Pangaea – where the species lived and later separated due to continental drift.
The reason that Meosaurus fossils can only be found in South America and Africa is that the continents were all together at one time and Africa and South America were touching, at the point Mesosauruses roamed in that area, so when the continents split, the fossils went to different continents.
He found the fossils in Africa and South America, it was a major piece of evidence supporting his theory on the continental drift. Since the Mesosaurus was a fresh water reptile, there was no way it could've swam across the Atlantic Ocean (which has salt water) to both continents. So that meant Africa and South America were at one point joined together.Mesosaurus was a small reptile that swam in shallow coastal waters about 275 million years ago. It couldn't have crossed an ocean, yet Mesosaurus fossils are found in both South America and Africa.
Mesosaurus fossils are crucial in supporting the existence of Pangaea, as they provide evidence of continental drift. These ancient freshwater reptiles were found in both South America and Africa, indicating that these continents were once connected. The presence of Mesosaurus in separate continents suggests that they could not have crossed the vast oceans that exist today, reinforcing the idea of a unified landmass in the past. This biogeographical evidence contributes to our understanding of the historical configuration of Earth's continents.
Fossils of the Mesosaurus, a freshwater reptile, and Glossopteris, a seed fern, provide significant evidence for continental drift. Mesosaurus fossils have been found in both South America and Africa, suggesting these continents were once connected, as this species could not have traversed vast oceans. Similarly, the distribution of Glossopteris fossils across Africa, South America, Antarctica, India, and Australia supports the idea of a supercontinent, as its seeds would not have been able to spread over such distances. These fossil distributions align with the theory of plate tectonics and the historical movement of continents.
The theory of plate tectonics easily explains the distribution of mesosaurus. When mesosaurus was alive, all of the continents were massed together into the supercontinent Pangaea. Therefor, South America and Africa met because there was no Atlantic Ocean, so the distribution of mesosaurus makes complete sense.
Mesosaurus was a marine reptile, that is, they lived in the ocean. They did, however, live in the sea near the coast of Pangea. Their fossils have been found in southern Africa and South America.
The presence of Mesosaurus fossils in both South America and Africa indicates that these continents were once connected, as this freshwater reptile could not have traversed the vast ocean separating them today. This evidence supports the theory of continental drift, suggesting that South America and Africa were part of the same landmass during the early Permian period. Additionally, Mesosaurus fossils found in Antarctica reinforce the idea that these landmasses were once situated closer together in a more unified configuration. Overall, these fossils imply that the continents were aligned differently in the past, contributing to the understanding of the geological history of the Southern Hemisphere.
The geographic distribution of the swimming reptile Mesosaurus provides evidence that supports continental drift. Fossils belonging to the Mesosaurus were found far away from each other, in both South Africa and South America.
The theory of plate tectonics easily explains the distribution of mesosaurus. When mesosaurus was alive, all of the continents were massed together into the supercontinent Pangaea. Therefor, South America and Africa met because there was no Atlantic Ocean, so the distribution of mesosaurus makes complete sense.
Mesosaurus and Lystrosaurus provided evidence for the existence of Pangaea through their fossil distributions. Mesosaurus, a freshwater reptile, was found in both South America and Africa, suggesting these continents were once connected, as it could not have traversed the vast ocean separating them. Similarly, Lystrosaurus fossils were discovered in Antarctica, Africa, and India, indicating that these landmasses were once part of a larger supercontinent. The presence of these identical species across distant continents supports the theory of continental drift and the existence of Pangaea.
Fossils of similar species have been found on multiple continents, particularly in South America, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia, supporting the theory of continental drift. For example, the presence of the freshwater reptile Mesosaurus in both South America and Africa suggests these continents were once connected. Similarly, the fossils of the plant Glossopteris have been discovered across these continents, further indicating their past proximity. This evidence has been crucial in understanding the historical connections among Earth's landmasses.