Q. Consider the following pairs
Wildlife —- Naturally found in
- Blue-finned Mahseer – Cauvery River
- Irrawaddy Dolphin – Chambal River
- Rusty-spotted Cat – Eastern Ghats
Which of the pairs given correctly matched?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Notes:
- In the river Cauvery, the Mahseer community comprises a “blue-finned” and an “orange-finned, hump-backed” fish.
- While it is not yet known whether these are distinct species or 2 different phenotypes, evidence suggests that the hump-backed phenotype is endemic to the river, whereas the blue-finned phenotype was introduced in the 1980s.
- Irrawaddy Dolphin is a critically endangered species.
- They are found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers: the Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and Mekong.
- In India, it is found in Lake Chilika and not the Chambal river.
- Rusty Spotted Cat is one of the world’s smallest feline.
- In India, it was long thought to be confined to the south, but records have established that it is found over much of the country.
- It was observed in eastern Gujarat’s Gir National Park, in Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and along India’s Eastern Ghats.
- This cat is nocturnal by nature.
- This little carnivore survives on insects, birds and rodents.
- Its survival is being threatened due to the loss of its habitat.