Which of the following was never proposed as evidence supporting the existence of Pangaea?

• A. Matching geological formations across continents
• B. Distribution of identical plant species in distant continents
• C. Convergent evolution of analogous structures in unrelated species
• D. Similarity of fossil species found on different continents

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of Pangaea. Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras. Evidence supporting its existence includes geological, fossil, and biological data showing connections between continents that are now separated.
2. Step 2: Analyze the options provided. Matching geological formations across continents, distribution of identical plant species in distant continents, and similarity of fossil species found on different continents are all examples of evidence supporting the idea of Pangaea.
3. Step 3: Recognize that convergent evolution of analogous structures in unrelated species is not related to the concept of Pangaea. Convergent evolution refers to the process where unrelated species develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures, not due to continental connections.
4. Step 4: Compare the options to identify which one does not align with the evidence for Pangaea. Geological formations, plant species distribution, and fossil similarities directly support the idea of connected continents, while convergent evolution does not.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is 'Convergent evolution of analogous structures in unrelated species,' as it is unrelated to the evidence supporting the existence of Pangaea.