Question

Identify the incorrect match with respect to recently extinct animals and their place of extinction according to the IUCN Red List:

• A. Dodo - Mauritius
• B. Quagga - Africa
• C. Thylacine - Australia
• D. Steller’s Sea Cow - North America

Hint:

Accurate historical records are essential for understanding extinction patterns.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The IUCN Red List documents recently extinct species and their locations. Let's analyze each option:

(A) Dodo-Mauritius - Correct: The flightless dodo (Raphus cucullatus) went extinct in Mauritius (Indian Ocean) in the late 17th century due to human activity.

(B) Quagga-Africa - Correct: The quagga (Equus quagga quagga), a zebra subspecies, went extinct in South Africa in 1883 due to hunting.

(C) Thylacine-Australia - Partially incorrect: While thylacines (Tasmanian tigers) lived in Australia, they went extinct on mainland Australia much earlier. The last known thylacine died in Tasmania (1936), not mainland Australia.

(D) Steller's Sea Cow-North America - Incorrect match: This massive sirenian was native to the Bering Sea (between Russia and Alaska) and went extinct in 1768 due to overhunting. While technically in the North Pacific, it's not accurate to call this "North America."

The most incorrect match is (D) Steller's Sea Cow-North America, as its range was specifically the Commander Islands (Russia) and surrounding Bering Sea areas, not North America proper.