Biodiversity part 2

Total Questions: 50

41. The marine animals called dugong which is vulnerable to extinction is a/an : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2009]

(a) Amphibian
(b) Bony fish
(c) Shark
(d) Mammal

Correct Answer: (d) Mammal

Solution:Dugong is a medium-size marine mammal, which is vulnerable to extinction. The dugong (Dugong dugon), also called the sea cow, is a herbivorous mammal. They have a broad but fragmented range inhibiting the warm coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. The largest population of sea cows is found in the northern waters of Australia. The second largest population is found in the Arabian Gulf.

Dugongs are not considered migratory but are known to travel great distances within their range in order to find food. They generally inhabit shallow waters, remaining at depths of around 10 m.

42. Concerning 'dugong', a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

1. It is a herbivorous marine animal.
2. It is found along the entire coast of India.
3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3

Solution:The dugong known as 'Sea Cow' is mostly found in Eastern Africa, South Asia and Australia. In India, it is found in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay. Feeding on seagrass dugongs are found in seagrass beds, sheltered waters, lagoons and Bays. It has been given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (protection) Act, 1972.

43. A sandy and saline area is the natural habitat of an Indian animal species. The animal has no predators in that area but its existence is threatened due to the destruction of its habitat. Which one of the following could be that animals? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

(a) Indian wild buffalo
(b) Indian wild ass
(c) Indian wild boar
(d) Indian gazelle

Correct Answer: (b) Indian wild ass

Solution:Rann of Kachchh is the natural habitat of Indian Wild Ass. This animal has no predators in that area but its existence is threatened due to the destruction of its habitat. It is a sub-species of Asian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus). It is locally called as khur in Gujarat region. It possesses remarkable characteristics, such as its ability to survive in the extreme conditions of Gujarat's Wild Ass Sanctuary.It is helpful in seed dispersal in the area which helps in promoting vegetation growth and diversity. Besides, it is helpful in habitat creation for other species as it clears pathways by consuming grasses.

The primary food source for these animals is the grass that grows on the islands in the desert. It is characterized by distinctive white markings on the anterior part of the rump and on the posterior part of the shoulder and a stripe down the back that is bordered by white. The khur was formerly widespread in the arid zone of northwestern India and Pakistan, westwards through much of central Asia. It is now limited to the Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.

44. Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2018]

(a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics
(b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows
(c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer: (b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows

Solution:Prosopis juliflora is an exotic plant that wipes out most of the native plants and animals that room around it once. It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows. It is a shrub or small tree in the family Fabaceae, a kind of mesquite. It is native to Mexico, South America and the Caribbean. It is one of the most invasive species in arid and semi-arid areas. It was brought to Delhi by the British in the 1920s, when the national capital was being built.

In India it is known locally by many names such as Bellary jaali, seemai karuvelam, seemai jaali, gando baval, vilayati kikar. It has a very wide ecological adaptability which can grow on soils from sand dune to clay soil, and from saline to alkaline soil type. It can grow below 200 to above 1500 m above sea level, and with a mean annual rainfall ranging from 50 to 1500 mm. It is considered an Invasive plant. It is characterized by vigorous growth which helps them to outcompete indigenous plant species.

45. In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2013]

1. Tamil Nadu
2. Kerala
3. Karnataka
4. Andhra Pradesh

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) Only 2
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) All of these

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3

Solution:Lion- tailed macaque is found in Western Ghats of India. It is an endangered species which is mostly found in Kerala, Karnataka and the border region of Tamil Nadu. It is an Old World monkey. It is an arboreal and diurnal creature, they sleep at night in trees (typically, high in the canopy of rainforest). These macaques are territorial and very communicative animals. One of the distinguishing features of this species is that males define the boundaries of their home ranges by calls. Overall, their communication system contains as many as 17 vocalisations. It is omnivorous and feed upon a wide variety of food, although fruits form the major part of their diet.

The magnificent Lion-tailed macaque is named due to its lion-like, long, thin, and tufted tail. Also they are characterised by the grey mane around their face. In the meantime, this animal is one of the smallest macaque species in the world. It is endemic to evergreen rainforests of the southern part in Western Ghats, with its range passing through the three states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

46. Consider the following : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]

1. Black-necked Crane
2. Cheetah
3. Flying Squirrel
4. Snow Leopard

Which of the above are naturally found in India?

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1, 3 and 4
(c) 2 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4

Solution:Cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952. Recently, the Supreme Court of India withheld the government's plan to rehabilitate Cheetah in India. Significantly the government introduced Cheetah in a wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh from Namibia. Snow Leopard's habitat is found 3000-4500 meters above the sea level. Surveys held in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have confirmed the presence of Snow Leopards in India. Black-necked Crane is the state bird of Jammu and Kashmir. Flying Squirrels are found in India, Russia, Japan, China, Europe, Africa and North America. India is habitat to seven species of flying Squirrel, six of which are found in the Himalayan Region.

47. With reference to India's biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, grey-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2020]

(a) Birds
(b) Primates
(c) Reptiles
(d) Amphibians

Correct Answer: (a) Birds

Solution:With reference to India's biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger), Coppersmith barbet (Megalaima haemacephala), Grey-chinned minivet (Pericrocotus solaris) and White-throated redstart (Phoenicurus schisticeps) are the species of birds.

48. Consider the following statements : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2008]

1. Salt-water crocodile is found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
2. Shrew and tapir are found in the Western Ghats of the Malabar region.
Codes :

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only

Solution:The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are very rich in biodiversity harbouring unique endemic life forms. The marine biodiversity includes marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, dugong, marine turtles, estuarine or saltwater crocodile, fish, prawns and lobsters, corals, seashells including rare and endangered Trochus species. Shrew and tapir are found in large Himalayan Ranges, not in the Western Ghats of the Malabar region.

49. Consider the following statements : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2007]

1. In India, Red Panda is naturally found in the westerns Himalayas only.
2. In India, Slow Loris Lives in the dense forests of the North East.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only

Solution:The Red Panda is a territorial mammal. Its zoological name is Ailurus fulgens. Red Panda lives in temperate climates, in deciduous and coniferous forests, usually with an under story of bamboo and hollow trees. This makes them a key species of these forests and indicators of forest health. They are found in the Himalayan region, in parts of Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and in the Indian States of Sikkim, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. Most of the red pandas of the world are found in China whereas the majority of the Indian red panda is found in Arunachal Pradesh. Thus, statement 1 is incorrect. Slow Loris species are found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, north-eastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura), Myanmar (including the Mergui Archipelago), Thailand, and Vietnam (except the south). Thus, statements 2 is correct.

50. Which one of the following is not correctly matched? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2012, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

List-I	List-II
(a) Golden langur	Endangered
(b) Desert Cat	Endangered
(c) Hoolock Gibbon	Endangered
(d) Asiatic Wild Dog	Threatened

Correct Answer: (d)

Solution:According to ENVIS Center for Faunal Diversity hosted by Zoological Survey of India sponsored by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, below is the risk status of the animals given in the options.
Golden Langur: Endangered
Hoolock Gibbon : Endangered
Asiatic Wild Dog: Endangered
Desert Cat: Endangered

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