Name: _________________
Leader: _________________ Materialist: __________________ Recorder: ______________
Reporter: ________________ Wild card: _______________ Wild card: __________________
Evidence for Plate Tectonics: Fossils!
Directions:
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Each row of seats represents a different continent. There are 6
continents represented: Antarctica, South America, North America,
Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Each continent has 3 fossils that were found in different areas of that
continent.These species existed over 300 million years ago during the Paleozoic Era.
Identify what fossils you have and list them in Data Table A below.
Look at the legend below and identify the colors that represent your continental fossils.
With your world map, shade in the regions of your continent in which the fossils were found [with the
appropriate colors from the legend]. For example, if your fossil was found on the west coast of North
America, shade in that region.
After you have shaded in all 3 colors on your continent, go explore the other continents. Try to see if your
fossils exist on any other continents. If so, color in the shaded regions of those continents with your fossil
type. Then, fill in Data Table B below.
Lastly, hypothesize how those fossils appeared on different continents. Use arrows on your map to show
movement of the species. Record your hypothesis below.
Legend:
Glossopteris Fern: Green
Mesosaurus: Blue
Redlichia Trilobite: Pink
Cygnonathus: Red
Modocia Trilobite: Purple
Dimetrodon: Light Blue
Lystrosaurus: Yellow
Crumillospongia: Orange
Data:
Table A: Name of Your Continent: _________________________________________________
Fossil Name
Location Found
Description of Fossil
Table B: Other Continents and Their Fossils
Your Fossil Name
Found on Another
Continent?
(Yes/No)
Name of
Continent(s) Found
On
Location of Fossil
on Other Continent
Ex: Brontosaurus
Yes
Africa
Northwest Africa
Data: Describe the Movement of One of Your Fossils:
_____________________________________________________________________________
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Group Hypothesis: How is it that these fossils are found on different
continents? Explain your reasoning and use arrows on the world map to
show movement.
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Analysis Questions: Answer Using Complete Sentences.
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What characteristics do you think enable a plant or animal to survive the breakup of a continent? Try to
think of at least two characteristics.
Scientists have found Mesosaurus fossils on the east coast of the southern tip of South America and the
west coast of South Africa. Even though we know this animal could swim, does the presence of
Mesosaurus fossil remains in two places support Wegener ‘s theory? Give evidence to support your ideas.
Do you think that the breakup of Pangaea into Gondwanaland and Laurasia affected organisms originally
living on Pangaea? Do you think that the breakup of Gondwanaland into the southern continents affected
the organisms living in Gondwanaland? Give evidence to support your ideas.