UPSC Prelims 2001 Q96: Environment & Ecology – Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts
A class of animals known as Marsupials is a characteristic feature of
- (a) Africa
- (b) Australia
- (c) South America
- (d) South - east Asia
Answer: (b) Australia
Explanation
Continent where marsupials are a characteristic feature
| Region | Marsupials |
|---|---|
| Australia | Most marsupial species — kangaroo, koala, wombat, Tasmanian devil |
| South America | Some (opossums), but placental mammals dominate |
| Africa | No native marsupials |
| South-east Asia | None west of Wallace's Line |
Marsupials carry their young in a pouch. Australia separated early from other continents, so marsupials spread there without competition from placental mammals. They are therefore a characteristic feature of Australia.
Answer: (b) Australia.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Africa has no native marsupials.
- (b) CORRECT. Marsupials are the characteristic mammals of Australia.
- (c) Incorrect. South America has some opossums, but marsupials are not characteristic there.
- (d) Incorrect. Marsupials do not occur in mainland South-east Asia.
Key point
Wallace Line: separates Asian fauna (Bali side) from Australian fauna (Lombok side).
Remember
Marsupials characterise Australia.
Common mistakes
- Choosing South America because opossums live there.
- Thinking pouched animals live in Africa.
- Not knowing about Australia's long isolation.
Exam tip
Pouched mammals = Australia; egg-laying mammals (platypus, echidna) also Australia.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — Biology, chapter 'Animal Kingdom' (Mammalia)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Marsupial