1. In which tiger reserve was a herpetofauna survey conducted that recorded 33 reptile species and 36 amphibian species?
[A] Anamalai Tiger Reserve
[B] Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
[C] Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
[D] Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mudumalai Tiger Reserve]
Notes:
A recent herpetofauna survey in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, now called the MTR Masinagudi Division, found rich biodiversity, including species likely new to science. The survey covered habitats at altitudes of 300 to 2,000 meters above sea level. It identified 33 reptile species and 36 amphibian species, many endemic to the Western Ghats. The survey discovered four potential new species: two geckos, a skink, and a frog, which need further taxonomic and molecular studies before formal identification.
2. Recently, two critically endangered species of amphibians, Micrixalus spelunca and Nyctibatrachus indraneili, were found in which tiger reserve?
[A] Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
[B] Anamalai Tiger Reserve
[C] Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
[D] Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mudumalai Tiger Reserve]
Notes:
Two critically endangered amphibian species, Micrixalus spelunca (cave dancing frog) and Nyctibatrachus indraneili (Indraneil’s night frog), were discovered in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. This biosphere reserve includes Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, Bandipur National Park in Karnataka, Mukurthi National Park, and Silent Valley, making it a vital area for biodiversity conservation.
3. As per Wildlife Trust of India, which is the most endangered amphibian genus in India?
[A] Dancing Frog
[B] True Frog
[C] Tree Frog
[D] Cascade Frog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dancing Frog]
Notes:
The Wildlife Trust of India has identified the dancing frogs found exclusively in the Western Ghats as the most endangered amphibian genus in India.
It is also the fifth most threatened genus in the world with 92 per cent of its species in the threatened category. The organisation made the analysis based on the second edition of the Global Amphibian Assessment, which was released recently.
4. 247-million-year-old lizard-like amphibian ‘Arenaepeton supinatus’ has been discovered in which country?
[A] India
[B] Greece
[C] China
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Australia]
Notes:
In New South Wales, Australia, scientists have identified the remains of a 247-million-year-old lizard-like amphibian, potentially rewriting the evolution of amphibians in the country.
This remarkable species, named Arenaepeton supinatus, survived two mass-extinction events and is part of the rare Temnospondyli family, with only three such fossils identified in Australia to date.
5. Consider the following statements:
- Analogous characteristics are set of features that are structurally similar and inherited from a common ancestor but perform different functions.
- The mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians have four limbs which is an example of homologous characteristics.
Which of the above is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:
Homologous characteristics are set of features that are structurally similar and inherited from a common ancestor but perform different functions. For example, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians have four limbs with the same basic limb layout because they have inherited the limbs from a common ancestor. These limbs have been modified to perform different functions.
6. Which of the following is/are correctly matched?
- Cyclostomata- jawless vertebrates.
- Pisces- Streamlined body
- Amphibia- four chambered heart
- Aves- warm-blooded
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2, and 3
[B] Only 2, 3, and 4
[C] Only 1, 3, and 4
[D] Only 1, 2, and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Only 1, 2, and 4]
Notes:
Cyclostomes are jawless vertebrates. They are characterised by having an elongated eel-like body, circular mouth, slimy skin and are scaleless. Pisces are fish. They are exclusively aquatic animals. Their skin is covered with scales/ plates. They obtain oxygen dissolved in water by using gills. The body is streamlined, and a muscular tail is used for movement. Amphibia differ from the fish in the lack of scales, in having mucus glands in the skin, and a three-chambered heart. Respiration is through either gills or lungs. They lay eggs. These animals are found both in water and on land. Aves are warm-blooded animals and have a four-chambered heart. They lay eggs. There is an outside covering of feathers, and two fore-limbs are modified for flight. They breathe through lungs.
7. Which of the following is/are correct for Bryophyta?
- These are called the amphibians of the plant kingdom.
- There are specialised tissue for the conduction of water and other substances.
- Examples are moss (Funaria) and Marchantia
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
These are called the amphibians of the plant kingdom. The plant body is commonly differentiated to form stem and leaf-like structures. However, there is no specialised tissue for the conduction of water and other substances from one part of the plant body to another. Examples are moss (Funaria) and Marchantia.
8. Consider the following statements:
- The human intervention in tropical Pacific Islands lead to extinction of many species.
- Amphibians are more vulnerable to extinction.
Which of the above is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
The colonisation of tropical Pacific Islands by humans is said to have led to the extinction of more than 2,000 species of native birds. The extinctions across taxa are not random; some groups like amphibians appear to be more vulnerable to extinction.
9. Consider the following statements:
- The Western Ghats have a greater amphibian species diversity than the Eastern Ghats.
- Species biodiversity can be measured through taxonomic diversity.
Which of the above is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
Species biodiversity can be measured through the number of species in a particular area (richness of species), the number of units in each species in a place (abundance of a species) and through the evolutive relationship of the different species (taxonomic diversity). Genetic diversity refers to the differences in the genetic heritage of a species. The diversity at the species level, for example, the Western Ghats have a greater amphibian species diversity than the Eastern Ghats.
10. A Herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) survey was conducted simultaneously in six protected areas of which wildlife division?
[A] Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
[B] Munnar Wildlife Division
[C] Ranthambore National Park
[D] Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Munnar Wildlife Division]
Notes:
A Herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) survey was conducted simultaneously in six protected areas of areas of Munnar wildlife division.
The survey has recorded the presence of 60 species of amphibians and 74 reptiles. This was for the first time a herpetofaunal survey was carried out covering all of the protected areas.
