In South America and Africa, there are fossils of a reptile called Mesosaurus. This animal lived in freshwater lakes and ponds near the coast. The map below shows the distribution of places where Mesosaurus fossils have been found.

Question

Which statement about Mesosaurus fossils and continental drift is MOST accurate?

A.
The Mesosaurus lived in coastal areas so the fossils show that the coastlines have changed as the continents drifted apart.

B.
The Mesosaurus could have evolved on both continents, so the fossils are not evidence for continental drift.

C.
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.

D.
The Mesosaurus fossils are found over too large of an area to provide any information about continental drift.

Answer 1

The statement that is MOST accurate regarding Mesosaurus fossils and continental drift is:

C. 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.

This statement highlights the fact that Mesosaurus was a freshwater reptile, and its presence in both South America and Africa suggests that the continents were once connected, allowing the species to inhabit these areas without the ability to cross vast oceanic distances.