Species: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Environment and Ecology)

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) is a subspecies of lion that is naturally found only in India. The Gir Forest is a protected area that provides a habitat for these majestic animals, and conservation efforts are in place to protect and manage the Asiatic lion population.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Double-humped camels (Camelus bactrianus) are naturally found in the Central Asian region, particularly in countries like Mongolia, China, and parts of Afghanistan. In India, they are found in the Ladakh region, but their native habitat is not India alone.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is found in India, particularly in Assam and other northeastern states and it is also found in parts of Nepal and Bhutan.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Many species of turtles are herbivores, especially those that live in freshwater or on land. For instance, the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is primarily herbivorous, feeding on seagrass and algae. Similarly, the Aldab-ra giant tortoise is also herbivorous, feeding mainly on grasses and leaves.

Statement 2 is correct: Several species of fish are herbivores, consuming algae, aquatic plants, or detritus. Examples include parrotfish, which graze on algae, and certain species of sur-geonfish, which feed on marine plants.

Statement 3 is correct: Some marine mammals are herbivores, notably the manatee and dugong, which feed on seagrasses. These mammals are specialized to thrive on a plant-based diet.

Statement 4 is correct: Boa Constrictors and Green Anacon-das are examples of viviparous snakes, meaning they give birth to live young with no eggs involved at any stage of development.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Blue Finned Mahseer is found in the Mula-Mutha River close to the Indian city of Pune, a part of the Krishna River basin. It is a freshwater fish. It is also known as Deccan Mahseer or Tor Khudree.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Irrawaddy Dolphin’s habitat extends from the Bay of Bengal to New Guinea and the Philippines. It is found in three rivers namely the Irrawaddy (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong but not in Chambal river. The highest single lagoon population of dolphins is considered to be found in Chilika Lake.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Rusty Spotted Cat has been observed in eastern Gujarat’s Gir National Park, in Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and along India’s Eastern Ghats.