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Consider the following statements : 1. Some species of turtles are herbivores. 2. Some species of fish are herbivores. 3. Some species of marine mammals are herbivores. 4. Some species of snakes are viviparous. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
The correct answer is option D because all four statements are correct.
**Statement 1 is correct:** Green sea turtles are unique among sea turtles in that they are primarily herbivores, eating mostly seagrasses and algae.[1]
**Statement 2 is correct:** While not explicitly covered in the provided sources, it is well-established scientific knowledge that several fish species (such as parrotfish, surgeonfish, and rabbitfish) are herbivorous, feeding on algae and plant matter.
**Statement 3 is correct:** Dugong and manatees are herbivorous marine mammals that inhabit swamps, rivers, estuaries, marine wetlands, and coastal marine[2] waters. Additionally, Dugong, a mammal-dependent resident of sea grass for food, is also on the verge of extinction.[3]
**Statement 4 is correct:** Sea Kraits are one of the few sea snakes that go to land to lay their eggs, while most others, like the Olive sea snake will give birth in the water.[4] This confirms that some snake species are viviparous (giving live birth) rather than oviparous (laying eggs).
Therefore, all four statements (1, 2, 3, and 4) are correct, making option D the right answer.
Sources- [1] https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/10-tremendous-turtle-facts
- [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 12: Animal Diversity of India > r:2..2.2, Herbivorous Marine Mammals > p. 189
- [3] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 14: Marine Organisms > Bo you know? > p. 209
- [4] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 14: Marine Organisms > Do you know? > p. 207
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis question looks like a biology bouncer but is actually a logic test wrapped in standard static GK. Statements 3 and 4 are direct lifts from Shankar IAS 'Do You Know' boxes. Statements 1 and 2 rely on the 'Power of Some'—in vast taxonomic groups like fish and turtles, finding one exception makes the statement true. Trust the 'Some' keyword in biodiversity questions.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Green sea turtles are unique among sea turtles in that they are primarily herbivores, eating mostly seagrasses and algae."
Why this source?
- Explicitly states a sea turtle species is primarily herbivorous.
- Names the species (green sea turtle) and specifies plant foods (seagrasses and algae).
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The only herbivorous sea turtle is the green sea turtle, but they do not start out as herbivores. As hatchlings, green sea turtles eat fish eggs, mollusks, and crustaceans. It is not until adulthood that their diet switches exclusively to algae, seaweed, and seagrasses."
Why this source?
- Explicitly calls the green sea turtle the only herbivorous sea turtle.
- Clarifies that adults switch to an exclusively plant-based diet (algae, seaweed, seagrasses), supporting that at least one turtle species is herbivorous.
- Explicitly states a sea turtle species is primarily herbivorous.
- Names the species (green sea turtle) and specifies plant foods (seagrasses and algae).
- Explicitly calls the green sea turtle the only herbivorous sea turtle.
- Clarifies that adults switch to an exclusively plant-based diet (algae, seaweed, seagrasses), supporting that at least one turtle species is herbivorous.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 12: Animal Diversity of India > Do ycu know? > p. 188
Strength: 4/5
“The major difference between a tortoise and a turtle is that land-dwelling ones are called tortoises and water-dwelling ones are called turtles. Tortoises are herbivorous, while turtles are omnivorous.”
Why relevant
Gives a categorical difference: land-dwelling 'tortoises' are described as herbivorous while 'turtles' are called omnivorous.
How to extend
A student could use this rule to check whether some taxa labelled 'tortoise' (land) are herbivorous and whether any aquatic 'turtle' groups deviate from the stated omnivory (e.g., specialized feeders).
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 14: Marine Organisms > Bo you know? > p. 209
Strength: 5/5
“The five species of turtles that nest on the Indian coast are the Leatherback sea turtle, Green turtle, and the Olive Ridley. . 1,4n{,&e':!rye#d sumle. ,dE.
• IUCIJ has accorded high priority for the conservation of sea grass. • Out of 5B species found in the world, fourteen species of seagrasses have been recorded from Indian coast. • They are commonly distributed from intertidal to subtidal region down to B m depth. • Dugong, a mammal-dependent resident of sea grass for food, is also on the verge of extinction.”
Why relevant
Mentions seagrass and lists 'Green turtle' among sea turtles nesting on Indian coasts, linking that species to seagrass habitat.
How to extend
Knowing seagrass is a plant, a student could investigate whether species associated with seagrass (e.g., Green turtle) feed on it and thus are herbivorous.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > 16.9. SEA TURTTE PROJECT > p. 242
Strength: 4/5
“Five species of sea turtles are found in Indian coastal waters. They are the Olive ridley, Green, Hawksbill,
Re All Rights Reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing.”
Why relevant
Lists the Green and other named sea turtles found in Indian waters, providing specific species to examine for diet differences.
How to extend
A student could take the named species (Green, Olive ridley, Hawksbill) and look up or test diet differences to see which are plant-eaters.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 2: Functions of an Ecosystem > i) Grazing food chain > p. 12
Strength: 4/5
“The consumers which start the food chain, utilizing the plant or plant part as their food, constitute the grazing food chain. This food chain begins from green plants at the base and the primary consumer is herbivore.
For example, In terestrial ecosystem, grass is eaten up. by caterpillar, which is eaten by lizard and lizard is eaten by snake.
In Aquatic ecosystem phytoplanktons (primary producers) is eaten by zoo planktons which is eaten by fishes and fishes are eaten by pelicans.”
Why relevant
Defines the 'grazing food chain' and that herbivores are primary consumers eating plant material.
How to extend
Combine this trophic concept with species-habitat links (e.g., turtle species found on seagrass beds) to infer possible herbivory and then verify with species-specific diet data.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 1: Ecology > Herbivores are primary consumers which feed > p. 7
Strength: 3/5
“Herbivores are primary consumers which feed.
e.g. wolves.
• mainly on piants e.g. cow, rabbit.
• Secondary consumers feed on primary consumers
• Carnivores which feed on secondary consumers are called tertiary consumers e.g. lions which can eat wolves.
• Omnivores are organisms which consume both plants and animals e.g. man, monkey,”
Why relevant
Gives general examples and definition of herbivores/omnivores vs carnivores, establishing the classification framework for animal diets.
How to extend
Use this classification framework to categorize turtles/tortoises by observed diets or by known habitats (land vs aquatic) to hypothesize which are herbivores.
Gives a categorical difference: land-dwelling 'tortoises' are described as herbivorous while 'turtles' are called omnivorous.
A student could use this rule to check whether some taxa labelled 'tortoise' (land) are herbivorous and whether any aquatic 'turtle' groups deviate from the stated omnivory (e.g., specialized feeders).
Mentions seagrass and lists 'Green turtle' among sea turtles nesting on Indian coasts, linking that species to seagrass habitat.
Knowing seagrass is a plant, a student could investigate whether species associated with seagrass (e.g., Green turtle) feed on it and thus are herbivorous.
Lists the Green and other named sea turtles found in Indian waters, providing specific species to examine for diet differences.
A student could take the named species (Green, Olive ridley, Hawksbill) and look up or test diet differences to see which are plant-eaters.
Defines the 'grazing food chain' and that herbivores are primary consumers eating plant material.
Combine this trophic concept with species-habitat links (e.g., turtle species found on seagrass beds) to infer possible herbivory and then verify with species-specific diet data.
Gives general examples and definition of herbivores/omnivores vs carnivores, establishing the classification framework for animal diets.
Use this classification framework to categorize turtles/tortoises by observed diets or by known habitats (land vs aquatic) to hypothesize which are herbivores.
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