Figure 2: Continental positions during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras, illustrating the movement and connection of continents over time.

Problem Analysis:

The image provided is a map of the continents during the Mesozoic Era, specifically highlighting the distribution of certain prehistoric species and vegetation types. The task involves answering questions based on the map and the information provided in the legend.

#### Key Elements from the Image:
1. Legend:
- Blue: Mesosaurus (freshwater reptile).
- Orange: Cynodontia (early mammals).
- Green: Glossopteris (woody seed-bearing shrub or tree).
- Red: Lycaenoptera (insect).

2. Map:
- Continents are shown in their approximate positions during the Mesozoic Era.
- Species distributions are marked according to the legend.

3. Questions:
- a. What continents were present during this time?
- b. What does the presence of Mesosaurus, Cynodontia, and Lycaenoptera indicate about the climate of South America and Africa?
- c. If Glossopteris was found in Antarctica, what was the climate of the continent at that time?
- d. Where do you think the Philippines was located during Pangaea time?
- e. Based on this activity, what are the two evidences that you can get to support Continental Drift Theory?

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Solution:

#### Question a: What continents were present during this time?
- During the Mesozoic Era, the Earth's continents were arranged differently compared to today. The supercontinent Pangaea existed, which later broke apart into smaller continents.
- From the map, we can see the following major landmasses:
- Laurasia (northern part, including North America, Europe, and Asia).
- Gondwana (southern part, including South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and India).
- The map shows these landmasses as one large connected landmass, indicating the presence of Pangaea.

Answer: The continents present during this time were part of the supercontinent Pangaea, which included all modern continents as one large landmass.

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#### Question b: What does the presence of Mesosaurus, Cynodontia, and Lycaenoptera indicate about the climate of South America and Africa?
- Mesosaurus: A freshwater reptile. Its presence suggests the existence of freshwater environments, such as rivers, lakes, or swamps.
- Cynodontia: Early mammals. These animals typically thrive in moderate to warm climates.
- Lycaenoptera: Insects. Insects generally require warm and humid environments to survive and reproduce.

- Inference: The presence of these species indicates that South America and Africa had a warm and humid climate during the Mesozoic Era. Freshwater habitats supported Mesosaurus, while the presence of early mammals and insects points to a temperate to tropical climate.

Answer: The presence of Mesosaurus, Cynodontia, and Lycaenoptera indicates that South America and Africa had a warm and humid climate during this time.

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#### Question c: If Glossopteris was found in Antarctica, what was the climate of the continent at that time?
- Glossopteris: A woody seed-bearing shrub or tree. This type of vegetation typically grows in temperate to cold climates with sufficient moisture.
- Antarctica Today: Antarctica is extremely cold and covered in ice, making it unsuitable for such vegetation today.
- Inference: The presence of Glossopteris in Antarctica during the Mesozoic Era suggests that Antarctica had a temperate climate at that time, with milder temperatures and more precipitation compared to its current icy conditions.

Answer: The presence of Glossopteris in Antarctica indicates that the continent had a temperate climate during the Mesozoic Era.

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#### Question d: Where do you think the Philippines was located during Pangaea time?
- The Philippines is currently located in Southeast Asia, near the equator. However, during the time of Pangaea, the continents were arranged differently.
- Based on the map and the theory of continental drift, the Philippines would have been part of the larger landmass of Gondwana, closer to the southern hemisphere.
- Specifically, the Philippines would have been near the eastern edge of the landmass that eventually became Southeast Asia, but still connected to the larger Gondwana supercontinent.

Answer: During Pangaea time, the Philippines was likely located near the eastern edge of the Gondwana supercontinent, closer to the southern hemisphere.

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#### Question e: Based on this activity, what are the two evidences that you can get to support Continental Drift Theory?
- Evidence 1: Fossil Distribution:
- The map shows the distribution of fossils (e.g., Mesosaurus, Cynodontia, Lycaenoptera, and Glossopteris) across different continents. For example, Mesosaurus fossils are found in both South America and Africa, suggesting that these continents were once connected.
- Similarly, Glossopteris fossils are found in Antarctica, South America, Africa, and Australia, further supporting the idea that these continents were part of a single landmass.

- Evidence 2: Vegetation and Climate Similarities:
- The similar types of vegetation (e.g., Glossopteris) and inferred climates across distant continents (e.g., South America, Africa, Antarctica) suggest that these regions were once contiguous.
- The presence of the same species in widely separated areas today implies that these continents were once joined together.

Answer: The two evidences that support Continental Drift Theory are:
1. Fossil Distribution: Similar fossils found across different continents (e.g., Mesosaurus, Glossopteris).
2. Vegetation and Climate Similarities: Identical vegetation types and inferred climates across distant continents, indicating they were once part of the same landmass.

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Final Answers:

1. a. What continents were present during this time?
\[
\boxed{\text{The continents were part of the supercontinent Pangaea.}}
\]

2. b. What does the presence of Mesosaurus, Cynodontia, and Lycaenoptera indicate about the climate of South America and Africa?
\[
\boxed{\text{The climate was warm and humid.}}
\]

3. c. If Glossopteris was found in Antarctica, what was the climate of the continent at that time?
\[
\boxed{\text{The climate was temperate.}}
\]

4. d. Where do you think the Philippines was located during Pangaea time?
\[
\boxed{\text{Near the eastern edge of the Gondwana supercontinent, closer to the southern hemisphere.}}
\]

5. e. Based on this activity, what are the two evidences that you can get to support Continental Drift Theory?
\[
\boxed{\text{1. Fossil Distribution; 2. Vegetation and Climate Similarities.}}
\]