Sage-Tips

What do Glossopteris leaf fossils tell us about the past?

They literally reveal how the world we recognise today took shape. Glossopteris was easy to recognise because of its distinctive leaves; the name means “tongue-fern” in Greek, because of its shape. Fossil evidence suggests that the plants probably grew in diverse habitats and came in different forms.

What landmasses are fossils of Glossopteris found on?

The Glossopteris fossil is found in Australia, Antarctica, India, South Africa, and South America—all the southern continents.

What do Glossopteris fossils?

Glossopteris, genus of fossilized woody plants known from rocks that have been dated to the Permian and Triassic periods (roughly 300 to 200 million years ago), deposited on the southern supercontinent of Gondwana. Its most common fossil is that of a tongue-shaped leaf with prominent midrib and reticulate venation.

When was the Glossopteris fossil found?

The samples were taken back to Britain, and in 1914 at Cambridge University, botanist Albert Seward identified among them, the ancient Glossopteris flora. It was the first time evidence of this extinct plant species had been found in Antarctica.

What does the Glossopteris plant tell us about the climate of Antarctica?

Throughout the area the scientists found the tongue-shaped imprints of fallen Glossopteris leaves. Deciduous trees such as Glossopteris are an indicator of a warm climate, as is the absence of frost rings.

How do Glossopteris fossils support Pangaea?

WEGNER’S EVIDENCE FOR CONTINENTAL DRIFT Evidence from fossilized organisms and mountain chains can be used to reconstruct the positions of today’s continents and landmasses to form the supercontinent Pangea. Glossopteris ferns had very heavy seeds that could not move by wind or drift on ocean currents.

Why are Glossopteris fossils important?

Glossopteris fossils provide important evidence for currently accepted distribution of continental plates in the Permian period that ended 250 million years ago. The mass extinction that marks the end of the Permian period is believed to have led to the disappearance of Glossopteris.

Is the presence of animal fossils tell that South America Africa and Antarctica were once connected?

Many scientists thought that Africa, India, Australia, South America, and Antarctica had once been connected into a large ancient continent known as Gondwana. Those fossils belonged to a species previously found in Africa, providing further evidence that the distant present-day continents were once connected.

On which continent were fossils of both Glossopteris and Lystrosaurus discovered Australia South America Antarctica North America?

Fossils of Lystrosaurus are only found in Antarctica, India and South Africa. Glossopteris was a woody, seed-bearing shrub or tree, named after the Greek descripton of ‘tongue’ – a description of the shape of the leaves.

Which of the following is an example of fossils found in South America and Africa?

For example, fossils of ancient reptiles called Cynognathus and Mesosaurus have been found on South America and Africa.

What continent were fossils of both Glossopteris and Lystrosaurus discovered?

Which landmasses show evidence of ancient glaciers?

Evidence of ancient glaciers that existed around 250 million years ago can be found on the landmasses of South America, Antarctica, Africa, India and Australia. 4. Based on the evidence of glacier, it is likely that the landmass of (South) Africa was located over the south pole at the time of Pangaea.