Question

Select the correct term for the following definitions (i, ii, iii, iv).
(i) The taxon is liable to become extinct if not allowed to realize its full biotic potential by providing protection from exotic species/human exploitation/ habitat deterioration/ depletion of food.
(ii) The taxon has been completely eliminated or died out from the earth, e.g., Dodo.
(iii) The taxon is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future due to a decrease in its habitat, excessive predation, or poaching.
(iv) They are species with naturally small populations, either localized or thinly scattered, which are always at risk from pests/pathogens/predators/exotic species.
A. (i) - Threatened; (ii) - Extinct; (iii) - Endangered; (iv) - Rare
B. (i) - Endangered; (ii) - Extinct; (iii) - Threatened; (iv) - Rare C
C. (i) - Extinct; (ii) - Rare; (iii) - Threatened; (iv) - Endangered D
D. (i) - Threatened; (ii) - Extinct; (iii) - Rare; (iv) – Endangered

Answer 1

The term taxon means a group of one or more populations of a particular organism or more population of an organism Taxonomists sees these as a unit. Usually, a taxon is known by a particular name and they are given a particular ranking for this to happen; it has to be well established.

Complete answer:
Threatened species is an animal, plant, or other living organisms which is becoming rare and will become in danger if this current trend continues. The IUCN (International Union for the conservation of nature) has divided threatened species into three broad categories- vulnerable species, critically endangered species, and endangered species.
We can say a plant or an animal is extinct when there are no more individuals of that species alive, particular species alive in any part of the world. Endangered species have been categorized which is likely to go extinct and they are categorized in the Red List. Rare species are a group of organisms that are very scarce or very few. This name can be tagged to any animal or plant taxon and rare is very different from the term endangered. Threatened species are the species which are close to becoming endangered if proper conservation is not provided.
Thus, from the above-given data, we conclude that-
i. Threatened species are liable to become extinct if not allowed to realize its full biotic potential by providing protection from exotic species/human exploitation/ habitat deterioration/ depletion of food.
ii. Extinct species are the species which are completely eliminated or died out from the earth, e.g., Dodo.
iii. Endangered species are those species that are facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future due to a decrease in its habitat, excessive predation, or poaching.
iv. Rare species are in naturally small populations, either localized or thinly scattered, which are always at risk from pests/pathogens/predators/exotic species.

Hence, the correct answer is option A, (i)- Threatened; (ii) - Extinct; (iii) - Endangered; (iv) - Rare.

Note: Some of the threatened species in India are Nilgiri tahr, Great Indian bustard, Himalayan quail, house sparrow, etc. Some of the extinct species in India are Indian aurochs, Pink-headed duck, Sunderban dwarf rhinoceros, etc. Some of the endangered species in India are greater One-Horned Rhinoceros, Nilgiri Tahr, Bengal Tigers, Asiatic Lion, Black Buck, Lion Tailed Macaque, Snow Leopard, etc.
Some of the rare species in India are Malabar Giant Squirrel, Gee's Golden Langur, Gugong, etc.