Question

fossil remains of the reptile mesosaurus can be found in south america and southern africa. which statement best ex continents?
the continents used to be together at the time the mesosaurus lived, but plate tectonics has separated the continents ove
scientists do not have an explanation for why the fossils of this extinct animal were found on both continents.
the continents used to be together at the time the mesosaurus lived, but erosion has caused an ocean to form between tl
the mesosaurus lived in africa and then swam to south america.

Explanation:

Mesosaurus was a freshwater reptile. It couldn't swim across the Atlantic Ocean. Plate tectonics theory explains that continents were once joined (as part of Pangaea). Over time, tectonic plate movements separated them. Erosion can't form an ocean between continents on such a scale. And it's highly unlikely for a freshwater reptile like Mesosaurus to swim across the ocean.

Answer:

The continents used to be together at the time the Mesosaurus lived, but plate tectonics has separated the continents over.