Fossils of the reptile mesosaurus have been found in both africa and south america. which of the following is a likely explanation for the fossils being found in these two places?
africa and south america were once joined and later broke apart.

africa and south america were joined by a land bridge.

the reptile was able to swim across the atlantic ocean.

the fossils were moved by humans from africa to south america.

Africa and South America were once joined and later broke apart.

Africa and South America were the part of a same land mass which were  separated into two different land forms America and South America and drifted to different locations other than the one from where they originated. This occurred due to continental drift. The evidence of this phenomena can be observed in fossils that were found to be same in both land forms. This depicts that same type of organisms were living in both land forms. Hence, gives the evidence that land forms were related.