The Mesosaurus fossils tell us that South America, Africa and Antarctica were once connected because it is impossible for these reptiles to swim over the vast oceans and move from one continent to another. … The fossils found and the edges of each continents that fits each other were useful in reconstructing Pangaea.Dec 9, 2020
- What does Mesosaurus indicate?
- In what continent is fossil Mesosaurus found what does this indicate in what continent S is Lystrosaurus found what can you say about their initial positioning then?
- What was a Mesosaurus and what does it have to do with continents moving?
- Where do Mesosaurus fossils have been found?
- Why was the Mesosaurus a significant piece of evidence?
- What could explain the distribution of Mesosaurus fossils?
- Why are Mesosaurus fossils found in South America and Africa?
- What is a Mesosaurus fossil?
- What could explain this distribution of Mesosaurus fossils?
What does Mesosaurus indicate?
Mesosaurus is considered one of the earliest aquatic relatives of reptiles and mammals [1]. The word Mesosaurus is Latin, and “meso” means “middle.” Scientists describing the first Mesosaurus fossils believed mesosaurs were “in the middle” between amphibians and reptiles, because they had features of both.
In what continent is fossil Mesosaurus found what does this indicate in what continent S is Lystrosaurus found what can you say about their initial positioning then?
It is found as fossils only in South Africa and South America. Lystrosaurus — which literally means 'shovel reptile' — was dominant on land in the early Triassic, 250 million years ago. It is thought to have been herbivorous and grew to approximately one metre in length, with a stocky build like a pig.
What was a Mesosaurus and what does it have to do with continents moving?
For this reason, the existence of Mesosaurus helps support the theory of continental drift; that is, the now-well-attested fact that South America and Africa were joined together into the giant continent Gondwana 300 million years ago before the continental plates supporting them broke apart and drifted into their …
Where do Mesosaurus fossils have been found?
Mesosaurus, (genus Mesosaurus), early aquatic relative of reptiles, found as fossils from the Early Permian Period (299 million to 271 million years ago) in South Africa and South America.
Why was the Mesosaurus a significant piece of evidence?
Mesosaurus was significant in providing evidence for the theory of continental drift, because its remains were found in southern Africa, Whitehill Formation, and eastern South America (Melo Formation, Uruguay and Irati Formation, Brazil), two widely separated regions.
What could explain the distribution of Mesosaurus fossils?
Fossils of Mesosaurus are found in both South America and Africa because the continents were once connected as a single landmass millions of years ago and have moved great distances to their current location.
Why are Mesosaurus fossils found in South America and Africa?
Fossils of Mesosaurus are found in both South America and Africa because the continents were once connected as a single landmass millions of years ago and have moved great distances to their current location.
What is a Mesosaurus fossil?
Mesosaurus fossils have been found in South America and Africa. Mesosaurus means “middle lizard,” and these creatures were ancient lizards that looked a bit like small crocodiles, with narrow heads and long tails. They had webbed feet and grew to about 1 meter (3.3 feet) long.
What could explain this distribution of Mesosaurus fossils?
What could explain the distribution of Mesosaurus fossils? South America and Africa were once part of Pangaea before it was separated into the continents.