Biodiversity and Endangered Species MCQs with Explanations
Endangered species are those at high risk of extinction due to habitat loss, hunting, pollution and climate change. This topic covers their conservation status, threats and protection measures.
Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?
Correct Answer:
(A) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
All of the species listed in option (a) are considered endangered, which means that they are at risk of extinction in the wild. The Great Indian Bustard is a large bird found in India and Pakistan that is critically endangered, with only a few hundred individuals remaining in the wild. The musk deer is a small deer found in the Himalayan region that is also critically endangered, due to habitat loss and poaching. The red panda is a small carnivorous mammal found in the Himalayan region that is endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. The Asiatic wild ass, also known as the onager, is a species of horse found in parts of Asia that is endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
Note: Great Indian Bustard is a highly endangered species.
Ques: 2
Which one of the following is NOT correctly matched?
Correct Answer:
(B) Desert Cat : Endangered
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 : Least Concern
There is no animal named Desert Cat listed in Red List of IUCN. Chinese Desert Cat are listed as a vulnerable category in Red List. Hence option (b) is correctly matched.
Ques: 3
In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat?
1. Tamil Nadu 2. Kerala
3. Karnataka 4. Andhra Pradesh
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Correct Answer:
(A) 1, 2 and 3
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.
Ques: 4
Vultures which used to be very common in the Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen now a days. This is attributed to:
Correct Answer:
(B) A drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle
The reason behind the heavy decline in the population of vultures is Diclofenac taken by vultures from the carcasses of dead cattle lying in open fields. Cattle owners used this drug for treating their diseased animals. Diclofenac is highly toxic and has killed vultures in very large numbers in this way. It has drastically brought down their population.
Ques: 5
Consider the following statements:
Salt-water crocodile is found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Shrew and tapir are found in the Western Ghats of the Malabar region.
Codes :
Correct Answer:
(A) 1 only
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.
Ques: 6
Consider the following statements:
Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower latitudes as compared to the higher latitudes.
Along the mountain gradients, biodiversity is normally greater in the lower altitudes as compared to the higher altitudes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer:
(C) Both 1 and 2
Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower latitudes as compared to the higher altitudes. Tropical rain forests which have the largest biodiversity are found in lower latitudes. Similarly, Valleys found in lower altitudes harness greater biodiversity than mountains of high altitude.