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because the two continents were originally joined (Gondwana land) and as such share common fossil ancestors

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How does Mesosaurus fossils support the past existence of Pangaea?

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.


Why are the fossils of a Mesosaurus can only be found in South America and Africa?

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.


Where did Alfred wegener find fossils of mesosaurus?

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.


How are the mesosaurus fossils important in the excistans of the panga?

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.


What could explainthis distribution of mesosaurus fossils?

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.


What is the geographic distribution of the swimming reptile Mesosaurus provides evidence?

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.


When did mesosaurus live?

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.


Explain this distribution of mesosaurus fossils?

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.


Does the case of mesosaurus by itself the theory why or why not?

The case of Mesosaurus does support the theory of continental drift, particularly in the context of plate tectonics. This freshwater reptile's fossils were found in both South America and Africa, which are now separated by the Atlantic Ocean. The presence of such a species in these two distant locations suggests that the continents were once joined, allowing Mesosaurus to inhabit both regions. Thus, it provides evidence against the idea that these continents have always been in their current positions.


What are some of the fossils that the continental drift left behind?

the Glossopteris was a fernlike plant that lived 250 million years ago and glossopteris fossils have been found in rocks in Africa,South america,australia,india,and antarctica.there are other fossils like the fresh water reptiles mesosaurus and lystrosaurus.


What ancient reptile lived in south America and Africa during the late paleozoic?

Mesosaurus


What was the fossilized reptile found in S America and in Africa that was used for evidence for continental drift?

The fossilized reptile found in South America and Africa that provided evidence for continental drift is called Mesosaurus. Mesosaurus was a freshwater reptile that lived about 300 million years ago and its presence on both continents suggested that they were once connected. This finding supported the theory of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener.