Question

Arrange the given taxonomic groups in increasing order of species richness.

Fishes, Mammals, Insects, Reptiles

• A. Mammals < Reptiles < Insects < Fishes
• B. Insects< Reptiles < Mammals < Fishes
• C. Fishes < Insects < Reptiles < Mammals
• D. Mammals < Reptiles < Fishes < Insects

Answer 1

The correct option is D Mammals < Reptiles < Fishes < Insects

The global inventory of the identified species across the world estimates that more than 70% of all the recorded species are animals and 22% of the recorded species belong to plants and fungi.

The most species-rich taxonomic group amongst animals is Class Insecta, contributing 70% to the total number of animal species.

Fig: Species distribution amongst different taxonomic groups in the animal kingdom


If we consider only vertebrates, maximum species diversity is exhibited by members of the superclass Pisces (fishes), followed by the classes Aves (birds), Reptilia, Mammalia and Amphibia.

Fig: Species distribution amongst vertebrates

Thus the correct order of arranging the given taxonomic groups in increasing order of species richness would be - Mammals < Reptiles < Fishes < Insects.