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?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2023: General Studies (SET - A - Held on 28 May)

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

Answer 1

The correct answer is option 3.

Key PointsMarsupials:

Unique Reproductive System:
- Marsupials are characterized by giving birth to underdeveloped young, which then continue to grow in the mother's pouch.
Dietary Diversity:
- Marsupials have a wide range of diets, including herbivores like kangaroos, carnivores like Tasmanian devils, and omnivores like opossums.
Distinctive Limbs:
- Many marsupials have powerful hind limbs for jumping, such as kangaroos, or strong forelimbs for climbing, like koalas.
No True Placenta:
- Unlike placental mammals, marsupials have no true placenta, and the young rely on the mother’s pouch for continued development after birth.
Geographical Distribution:
- Marsupials are primarily found in Australasia and the Americas, with most species occurring in Australia and nearby regions.
Geographic Distribution
- Extant Marsupial Species: The living marsupial species are mainly restricted to Australasia and the Americas, with 333 species found mostly in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Habitat Preferences
- Habitat Types: Most Australian marsupials inhabit dry scrub or desert regions, while in South America, they are typically found in forests or tropical rainforests.
- Forest Habitats: Marsupials can occupy various parts of the forest ecosystem, from the trees to the forest floor. For example, wombats burrow underground. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.