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Q12·GS Paper 1 · Prelims 2023

Marsupials not naturally in India; marsupials thrive only in montane grasslands without predators

EnvironmentBiodiversity & ConservationAssertion-ReasonMediumStatic

Question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India. Statement-II: Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Options

a

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

b

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

c

Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

Answer
d

Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Explanation

Statement-I is correct; marsupials (like kangaroos and koalas) are endemic to Australasia and the Americas; they are not naturally found in India. Statement-II is incorrect; marsupials inhabit a massive variety of ecosystems globally (deserts, rainforests, woodlands) and have coevolved with native predators (like the dingo or Tasmanian devil).

Marsupials exhibit vast adaptive radiation across diverse habitats in Australia and the Americas, refuting any claim of strict ecological fragility.

Answer: (c).

Question details

Year

2023

Paper

GS Paper 1

Question

Q12

Subject

Environment

Sub-topic

Biodiversity & Conservation

Type

Assertion-Reason

Difficulty

Medium

Nature

Static

Source hint

NCERT Biology Cl.12 / Global Zoogeography & Endemic Marsupials

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