Question

1. choose the best answer.

fossil remains of the reptile mesosaurus can be found in south america and southern africa. which statement best explains why the fossils are found on both continents?
the mesosaurus lived in africa and then swam to south america.
the continents used to be together at the time the mesosaurus lived, but plate tectonics has separated the continents over time.
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 the continents.

Explanation:

Mesosaurus was a freshwater reptile. It was physically impossible for it to swim across the Atlantic Ocean. Plate tectonics theory explains that continents were once joined (as part of Pangaea) and have drifted apart over geological time. Erosion is not the main process that caused the separation of continents; plate movement is. Scientists do have explanations based on plate tectonics.

Answer:

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