Question

which statement about mesosaurus fossils and continental drift is most accurate? a. the mesosaurus could not swim between the continents in the open ocean, so the fossils show that the continents must have been together in the past. b. the mesosaurus lived in coastal areas so the fossils show that the coastlines were in the same position during the history of earth (continents never moved). c. the mesosaurus could have evolved on both continents, so the continents have never moved. d. the mesosaurus fossils are found over too small of an area to provide any information about continental drift.

Explanation:

Mesosaurus was a freshwater reptile. It could not swim across the vast salt - water ocean. The presence of its fossils on two separate continents (South America and Africa) suggests that these continents were once joined. This is a key piece of evidence for continental drift. Option B is incorrect because coastlines change over time due to various geological processes. Option C is wrong as evolution of a single species on two continents (in this context) is not a valid argument against continental drift. Option D is incorrect as the distribution of Mesosaurus fossils (across two continents) does provide information about continental drift.

Answer:

A. The Mesosaurus could not swim between the continents in the open ocean, so the fossils show that the continents must have been together in the past.