Final answer:
Pannotia was not Earth's first known supercontinent; earlier ones included Vaalbara, Ur, and Rodinia. Pangaea was a later supercontinent that included all major land masses and was marked by extreme climates and a mass extinction at the end of the Permian period. Gondwana was another significant supercontinent which played a role in species distribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement suggesting that Pannotia was Earth's first known supercontinent is false. Pannotia was indeed a supercontinent but not the first known. Rodinia is considered to be one of the earlier known supercontinents, existing before Pannotia. The first known supercontinent was likely Vaalbara or Ur. Following Rodinia's breakup, Pannotia formed and later broke up into smaller continents which later re-merged to form the supercontinent of Pangaea.
Pangaea was a massive supercontinent that existed during the Permian Period and included all of Earth's major land masses. It went through various climate changes including extreme temperatures and dry conditions, which led to adaptations in plants and animals such as waxy leaves and leathery skin to prevent water loss. The end of the Permian period, marked by Pangaea's presence, was characterized by the most massive extinction ever recorded.
Another significant supercontinent was Gondwana, which existed from the Neoproterozoic and began breaking up during the Jurassic, ultimately giving rise to some of the current continents. Pangaea and Gondwana contributed to the distribution of flora and fauna as their breakup allowed unique species to evolve in isolated environments.