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Triassic tetrapods from antarctica: evidence for continental drift
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 18, 1970
Summary
Fossil discoveries in Antarctica
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Geology
- Continental Drift
Background:
- The Fremouw Formation in Antarctica's Transantarctic Mountains contains Lower Triassic vertebrate fossils.
- Fossil tetrapod assemblages of significant geologic age were previously unknown on the Antarctic continent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first significant Lower Triassic tetrapod fossil assemblage discovered in Antarctica.
- To analyze the implications of this fossil assemblage for paleogeography.
Main Methods:
- Excavation of vertebrate fossils from stream channel deposits.
- Identification and classification of fossil taxa.
- Paleogeographic analysis based on fossil distribution.
Main Results:
- Discovery of labyrinthodont amphibians, thecodont reptiles, and therapsid reptiles.
- Identification of the definitive Lower Triassic genus Lystrosaurus.
- Lystrosaurus fossils were found in association with other land-living vertebrates.
Conclusions:
- The presence of Lystrosaurus and other terrestrial vertebrates in Antarctica suggests land connections.
- These findings support the contiguity of Antarctica, Africa, and India during the Early Triassic period.
- This discovery provides crucial evidence for reconstructing Gondwanan paleogeography.
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