UPSC CSE Prelims
Species in News Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Species in News with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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With respect to the Western Hoolock Gibbons, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- A Sanctuary in North-east India is home to this ape species listed as Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
- They have specialized brachiation and can easily swing between trees.
- They possess a strong and heavy build like gorillas, yet are remarkably agile tree climbers.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Correct. Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam is dedicated to this species. The Western Hoolock Gibbon is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Statement 2 — Correct. They move through brachiation — using their long arms to swing quickly from branch to branch. This is their main way of moving through forests.
Statement 3 — Incorrect. Gibbons are "lesser apes" (small apes), NOT like gorillas (great apes). They are small, slender, and lightweight — only 6 to 9 kg. Their light body is exactly WHY they can swing so agilely — a heavy gorilla-like build would make this impossible.
Memory Trick: Gibbons = Light + Long arms = Great swingers. Gorillas = Heavy + Strong = Ground-based. Don't mix them up!
Which of the following statements with regard to the arrival of Amur Falcons at Doyang Lake in Nagaland each year from Mongolia is/are correct?
- It showcases how sustained local conservation efforts can contribute to the arrival and protection of international migratory birds.
- It reflects the global success of advanced tracking technologies that guide migratory birds back to their stopover sites.
- It confirms that Amur Falcons have adapted to permanent residency in India due to favourable habitat changes.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Correct. Doyang Lake is a conservation success story. Earlier, falcons were hunted in huge numbers. After efforts by NGOs, the Forest Department, and local communities, hunting stopped completely. Nagaland is now called "Falcon Capital of the World."
Statement 2 — Incorrect. Tracking devices (solar-powered transmitters) only collect data for scientists — they don't guide the birds. Falcons find their way using their own natural instincts, not technology.
Statement 3 — Incorrect. Falcons are not permanent residents of India — they're long-distance migrants. They breed in Siberia/Northern China, then fly to Southern Africa for winter — about 22,000 km journey. Doyang Lake is just a temporary stopover (Oct-Nov) to gain fat reserves before crossing the Arabian Sea.
Consider the following statements about Rhynchostylis retusa (Foxtail orchid) :
- It is an epiphytic orchid.
- The species is endemic to North-east India.
- It is the State flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Correct. It's an epiphytic orchid — it grows on tree trunks/branches, using the tree only for support and taking moisture from air. It's not a parasite, doesn't harm the tree.
Statement 2 — Incorrect. Not endemic to North-east India. It's found across Tropical Asia — China, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines. Even within India, it grows in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar too — not just North-east.
Statement 3 — Correct. It is the State flower of both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. In Assam, it's called Kopou Phool — culturally important, worn during Bihu dance and weddings.
Memory Trick: "Epiphyte + Endemic" sound similar but mean different things — epiphyte = grows on trees; endemic = found only in one place. Don't confuse the two!
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