UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — New cascade frog species recorded in Nagaland’s hill-stream habitats

Q1. In cascade frogs of the genus Amolops (to which the newly described Amolops kamal belongs), which one of the following is the principal larval adaptation that enables the tadpoles to survive in fast-flowing hill streams?

  • A. A large ventral (abdominal) sucker used to cling to rocks
  • B. A pair of parotoid poison glands behind the eyes
  • C. An inflatable vocal sac for underwater calling
  • D. Fully webbed forelimbs used as paddles

Q2. As per the description of Amolops kamal, how many species of the genus Amolops have so far been reported from India?

  • A. 20
  • B. 90
  • C. 8
  • D. 45

Q3. The field survey in Kiphire district that led to the recording of the new cascade frog was carried out by which one of the following organisations?

  • A. Zoological Survey of India
  • B. Botanical Survey of India
  • C. Wildlife Institute of India
  • D. National Centre for Biological Sciences

Q4. With reference to the site where Amolops kamal was recorded, consider the following statements: 1. It lies in the Kiphire district of Nagaland. 2. The district shares an international boundary with Myanmar. 3. The specimens were collected near Singrep village. 4. The location falls within the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It lies in the Kiphire district of Nagaland.
  2. The district shares an international boundary with Myanmar.
  3. The specimens were collected near Singrep village.
  4. The location falls within the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. The molecular phylogenetic analysis that confirmed Amolops kamal as a distinct evolutionary lineage was carried out through which one of the following arrangements within the Zoological Survey of India?

  • A. The Shillong regional centre working with the Pune centre
  • B. Solely by the headquarters at Kolkata, with no other centre involved
  • C. Exclusively by the Port Blair centre
  • D. Only by the Chennai marine biology centre

Q6. The Zoological Survey of India, established in 1916, functions as the country's premier institution for which one of the following?

  • A. Survey, exploration and documentation of India's faunal (animal) resources
  • B. Survey and documentation of India's plant (floral) resources
  • C. Mapping of India's forest cover and forest resources
  • D. Survey of India's geological and mineral resources

Q7. With reference to the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), consider the following statements: 1. It was established on 1 July 1916. 2. Its headquarters is located at Kolkata. 3. It operates through 16 regional centres across the country. 4. It is an attached office of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It was established on 1 July 1916.
  2. Its headquarters is located at Kolkata.
  3. It operates through 16 regional centres across the country.
  4. It is an attached office of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. Which Union ministry serves as the nodal ministry for biodiversity conservation and administers the scientific body that documents new faunal species from the Indo-Burma hotspot region?

  • A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • B. Ministry of Science and Technology
  • C. Ministry of Earth Sciences
  • D. Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Q9. In the Zoological Survey of India's annual 'Animal Discoveries' report, the expression 'species new to science' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A species formally described and named for the first time, not previously known to science anywhere
  • B. A species recorded within India for the first time but already known to occur elsewhere in the world
  • C. A species found only inside a legally notified protected area
  • D. A species that is endemic exclusively to a single Indian state

Q10. With reference to the global conservation status of amphibians as reported in the Second Global Amphibian Assessment, consider the following statements: 1. Amphibians are the most threatened class of vertebrates. 2. Roughly 41% of amphibian species are assessed as being at risk of extinction. 3. Habitat loss and climate change are among the leading drivers of amphibian decline. 4. Amphibians are the least threatened vertebrate group globally. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Amphibians are the most threatened class of vertebrates.
  2. Roughly 41% of amphibian species are assessed as being at risk of extinction.
  3. Habitat loss and climate change are among the leading drivers of amphibian decline.
  4. Amphibians are the least threatened vertebrate group globally.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4