Author Question: Mesosaurus is a small freshwater reptile that existed in the Permian Period. It is only found in ... (Read 51 times)

yoooooman · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

Mesosaurus is a small freshwater reptile that existed in the Permian Period. It is only found in black shale deposits in eastern South America and southwestern Africa.

If the Mesosaurus is an aquatic reptile and the continents are currently separated by an ocean, evaluate why the Mesosaurus would be used as strong evidence in favor of continental drift rather than as evidence against it.
What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Why would using the continental shelves to reassemble the continents provide a better fit than using the shorelines of the continents?

What will be an ideal response?

katieost · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: First, Mesosaurus is a freshwater reptile. It would not have been able to survive the trip across the southern Atlantic Ocean. Second, if it were able to swim such great distances as to be able to cross an ocean, it would be reasonable to assume Mesosaurus remains would be more widespread.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: The shorelines are continuously eroded by waves or are being built out by longshore currents, fluvial deposition, and so on. These processes change the shapes of the continents over time. The continental shelves are currently several hundred feet below the erosive power of the waves, so they are left relatively untouched.