Final answer:
The Mesosaurus fossil was a convincing argument for continental drift because its fossils were found in both South America and South Africa, indicating that these continents were once connected. The distribution and age of the fossils provided further evidence supporting continental drift.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mesosaurus fossil was one of the most convincing arguments in favor of continental drift because its fossils were found in both South America and South Africa. These two continents, when aligned, looked like they were together at some point in the past. This provided evidence that the continents were once joined and later moved apart.
The distribution of the Mesosaurus fossils indicated that the species could not have swum across the ocean between the two continents. This supported the idea of continental drift because it suggested that the continents were once connected and allowed for the migration of species like the Mesosaurus.
Furthermore, the age of the Mesosaurus fossils correlated with the age of the rock layers in which they were found. This provided additional evidence for continental drift, as it suggested that the fossils were not deposited in their current locations but had been moved over time through tectonic activity.
Learn more about Mesosaurus fossil and its significance in supporting continental drift