Question

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

Fishes, Mammals, Fungi, Reptiles

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

Answer 1

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

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

The total number of species of fungi in the world is more than the sum total of the number of species belonging to fishes, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

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