Does the Glossopteris still exist?
History. The Glossopteridales arose in the Southern Hemisphere around the beginning of the Permian Period (298.9 million years ago), but became extinct during the end-Permian (Changhsingian) mass extinction.
Where are Glossopteris fossils found?
The Glossopteris fossil is found in Australia, Antarctica, India, South Africa, and South America—all the southern continents. Now, the Glossopteris seed is known to be large and bulky and therefore could not have drifted or flown across the oceans to a separate continent.
Is Glossopteris a fossil?
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.
What does the Glossopteris fossil tell us about?
The glossopteris fossils reflects the evidence of separation of continents like southern Africa, Australia, India and Antarctica which was largely separated by huge and wide ocean which was larlier connected with each other.
Why is Glossopteris so widespread?
Importance and Extinction of Glossopteris They were so abundant for so long that accumulations of the dead plants eventually formed massive coal beds that are mined in Brazil, India, Australia and South Africa and also found in Antarctica.
Why was Glossopteris so widespread?
Why is Glossopteris 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.
Why is the Glossopteris important?
Where is the Glossopteris fossil found in the world?
The Glossopteris fossil is found in Australia, Antarctica, India, South Africa, and South America—all the southern continents. Now, the Glossopteris seed is known to be large and bulky and therefore could not have drifted or flown across the oceans to a separate continent.
When did Glossopteris the gymnosperm become extinct?
Published on Apr 29, 2014. Glossopteris fossils are related to a group of primitive gymnosperms, the genus of the extinct order of seed ferns known as Glossopteridales and became extinct during the Permian Triassic extinction event 252 Ma (million years ago).
Why was Glossopteris important to the Permian period?
Glossopteris is an important fossil because it provided evidence to help prove plate techtonics and continental drift. During the Permian Period all of what are now the southern continents were conected in one huge landmass called Gondwana. Glossopteridales were the dominant plants forming massive forests covering Gondwana.
Where are the fossils of the Lystrosaurus found?
Lystrosaurus fossils are only found in Antarctica, India, and South Africa. Similar to the land dwelling Cynognathus, the Lystrosaurus would have not had the swimming capability to traverse any ocean. Modern day representation of the Glossopteris. Possibly the most important fossil evidence found is the plant, Glossopteris.