To support the existence of Pangea using fossil evidence, it's essential to look at how certain fossils are discovered across different continents that are separated today, yet show the same species existed in those regions during the time when Pangea was intact. Here are three examples of fossils that can be used to argue for the existence of Pangea:
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Glossopteris: This ancient seed fern has been found in several continents, including South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and India. The presence of Glossopteris fossils across such diverse geographical locations suggests that these landmasses were once interconnected, allowing the species to thrive in a unified habitat. The fossil evidence shows similar morphological traits that link these regions, reinforcing the idea of a supercontinent.
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Mesosaurus: A freshwater reptile whose fossils have been discovered in both South America and Africa. Mesosaurus was a small aquatic creature that lived during the early Permian period. The fact that it is only found in these two distant continents, which are separated by the vast Atlantic Ocean, indicates that these landmasses were once joined. Mesosaurus could not have traversed such an expanse of ocean, suggesting that Pangea was a reality during its existence.
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Lystrosaurus: This terrestrial reptile lived during the Permian and Triassic periods and its fossils have been located in Africa, India, and Antarctica. Like Mesosaurus, Lystrosaurus could not have migrated across oceans, making its presence in these regions strong evidence of continental connectivity. The alignment of these fossil finds across continents further supports the notion that the landmasses were once part of a larger supercontinent.
In summary, the distribution of Glossopteris, Mesosaurus, and Lystrosaurus across several continents provides compelling evidence for the existence of Pangea. These fossil records highlight how species could only have existed in these regions when they were connected, making the case for past continental arrangement, which is critical in understanding the geological and biological history of our planet.