Answer
The discovery of the fossil remains of Mesosaurus in both South America and Africa, but nowhere else, provides strong support for the continental drift hypothesis. Here's why:
1. Geographic Distribution: Mesosaurus was a freshwater reptile that lived during the early Permian period, approximately 299-270 million years ago. The fossil remains of Mesosaurus have been found exclusively in two regions: the Paraná Basin in Brazil (South America) and the Karoo Basin in South Africa (Africa). The absence of Mesosaurus fossils in other parts of the world suggests a restricted geographic distribution.
2. Geological and Environmental Constraints: The habitats of Mesosaurus, as indicated by the fossil record, were freshwater environments, such as lakes and rivers. These aquatic ecosystems are typically localized and have geographic boundaries. The presence of Mesosaurus fossils in South America and Africa, but not in other regions, implies that these continents were connected and shared a common freshwater ecosystem during the time when Mesosaurus lived.
3. Biological Constraints: Mesosaurus was a relatively small reptile that was not well-equipped for long-distance migration across vast oceans. The presence of identical or closely related species in separate regions suggests that these regions were once contiguous and allowed for the natural dispersal of organisms. The occurrence of Mesosaurus fossils in both South America and Africa supports the idea that these continents were connected in the past and shared a common biological history.
Taken together, the discovery of Mesosaurus fossils in both South America and Africa provides compelling evidence for continental drift. The restricted geographic distribution of this reptile, the presence of similar freshwater ecosystems, and the limitations on its dispersal support the hypothesis that these continents were once united and later separated, as proposed by the theory of continental drift.
Work Step by Step
The discovery of the fossil remains of Mesosaurus in both South America and Africa, but nowhere else, provides strong support for the continental drift hypothesis. Here's why:
1. Geographic Distribution: Mesosaurus was a freshwater reptile that lived during the early Permian period, approximately 299-270 million years ago. The fossil remains of Mesosaurus have been found exclusively in two regions: the Paraná Basin in Brazil (South America) and the Karoo Basin in South Africa (Africa). The absence of Mesosaurus fossils in other parts of the world suggests a restricted geographic distribution.
2. Geological and Environmental Constraints: The habitats of Mesosaurus, as indicated by the fossil record, were freshwater environments, such as lakes and rivers. These aquatic ecosystems are typically localized and have geographic boundaries. The presence of Mesosaurus fossils in South America and Africa, but not in other regions, implies that these continents were connected and shared a common freshwater ecosystem during the time when Mesosaurus lived.
3. Biological Constraints: Mesosaurus was a relatively small reptile that was not well-equipped for long-distance migration across vast oceans. The presence of identical or closely related species in separate regions suggests that these regions were once contiguous and allowed for the natural dispersal of organisms. The occurrence of Mesosaurus fossils in both South America and Africa supports the idea that these continents were connected in the past and shared a common biological history.
Taken together, the discovery of Mesosaurus fossils in both South America and Africa provides compelling evidence for continental drift. The restricted geographic distribution of this reptile, the presence of similar freshwater ecosystems, and the limitations on its dispersal support the hypothesis that these continents were once united and later separated, as proposed by the theory of continental drift.
