1. What is a zoogeographical realm?
A) A physical boundary separating ecosystems
B) A region with a distinct climate
C) A large area of the Earth characterized by a specific distribution of animal species
D) A small isolated ecosystem
Answer: C
Explanation: A zoogeographical realm is a large geographical area distinguished by a unique assemblage of animal species, which have adapted to the region’s particular environmental conditions.
2. How many primary zoogeographical realms are recognized?
A) 5
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8
Answer: B
Explanation: There are 6 primary zoogeographical realms: Nearctic, Neotropical, Palearctic, Ethiopian, Oriental, and Australasian.
3. Which zoogeographical realm is characterized by the presence of animals such as bison and moose?
A) Palearctic
B) Nearctic
C) Neotropical
D) Ethiopian
Answer: B
Explanation: The Nearctic realm includes regions of North America, where animals like bison and moose are found.
4. Which of the following species is native to the Neotropical realm?
A) Giraffe
B) Kangaroo
C) Jaguar
D) Panda
Answer: C
Explanation: The jaguar is native to the Neotropical realm, which includes Central and South America.
5. The Palearctic realm includes which of the following continents?
A) North America
B) South America
C) Europe, Asia, and North Africa
D) Australia
Answer: C
Explanation: The Palearctic realm includes Europe, Asia, and northern parts of Africa.
6. Which of these is a characteristic feature of the Ethiopian zoogeographical realm?
A) Kangaroos
B) Penguins
C) Lions
D) Polar bears
Answer: C
Explanation: The Ethiopian realm is home to species such as lions, zebras, and giraffes, particularly in Africa.
7. The Indo-Malayan or Oriental realm is known for its rich diversity of which type of animals?
A) Marsupials
B) Reptiles
C) Primates and big cats
D) Birds of prey
Answer: C
Explanation: The Indo-Malayan or Oriental realm is famous for a large number of primates, big cats like tigers, and various other species.
8. Which realm is considered to be the most isolated, leading to its unique fauna?
A) Nearctic
B) Neotropical
C) Australasian
D) Palearctic
Answer: C
Explanation: The Australasian realm is known for its unique fauna, including marsupials like kangaroos, koalas, and Tasmanian devils, due to its isolation.
9. The division of Earth’s surface into zoogeographical realms is based on which principle?
A) Similarity in climate
B) Distribution of plant species
C) Evolutionary history and adaptation of fauna
D) Oceanic currents
Answer: C
Explanation: The division is based on the evolutionary history of animals and their adaptations to the respective environments, leading to distinct fauna in each realm.
10. Which of the following is NOT a reason for the distinct distribution of fauna in different zoogeographical realms?
A) Climate variations
B) Evolutionary barriers
C) Continental drift
D) Geological changes
Answer: D
Explanation: While geological changes affect ecosystems, the primary reasons for faunal distribution include climate, evolutionary barriers, and continental drift.
11. Which animals are characteristic of the Australasian realm?
A) Polar bears
B) Kangaroos and koalas
C) Lions and tigers
D) Bison and elk
Answer: B
Explanation: The Australasian realm includes species like kangaroos, koalas, and other marsupials that are native to Australia and nearby islands.
12. The Nearctic realm is mostly associated with which type of climate?
A) Tropical
B) Temperate and cold
C) Desert
D) Polar
Answer: B
Explanation: The Nearctic realm is characterized by temperate and cold climates, found predominantly in North America.
13. Which of the following realms includes the greatest variety of species?
A) Nearctic
B) Palearctic
C) Neotropical
D) Ethiopian
Answer: C
Explanation: The Neotropical realm is known for its incredible biodiversity, particularly in the tropical rainforests of South and Central America.
14. Which of these species is native to the Palearctic realm?
A) Tiger
B) Bison
C) Sloth
D) Lemur
Answer: B
Explanation: Bison are native to the Palearctic realm, which includes parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
15. The vast majority of species in the Ethiopian realm are found on which continent?
A) Africa
B) Asia
C) Australia
D) North America
Answer: A
Explanation: The Ethiopian realm is primarily associated with Africa, home to iconic species like elephants, giraffes, and lions.
16. Which of these species is NOT found in the Oriental realm?
A) Bengal tiger
B) Panda
C) Orangutan
D) Komodo dragon
Answer: D
Explanation: The Komodo dragon is native to the Australasian realm, not the Oriental realm.
17. The introduction of which species by humans into different zoogeographical realms has caused ecological disruption?
A) Polar bears
B) Domestic cats and dogs
C) Gorillas
D) Penguins
Answer: B
Explanation: The introduction of non-native species, like domestic cats and dogs, has disrupted ecosystems and impacted native fauna.
18. What is the defining characteristic of the Neotropical zoogeographical realm?
A) Dominance of marsupials
B) High numbers of amphibians
C) Unique mammalian species like sloths
D) Presence of penguins
Answer: C
Explanation: The Neotropical realm is known for its unique species such as sloths, jaguars, and diverse birdlife.
19. Which zoogeographical realm contains the majority of the world’s deserts?
A) Nearctic
B) Ethiopian
C) Palearctic
D) Australasian
Answer: C
Explanation: The Palearctic realm includes vast desert regions such as the Sahara and Gobi Desert, with adapted species like camels.
20. Which zoogeographical realm has the highest density of mammalian species?
A) Palearctic
B) Nearctic
C) Neotropical
D) Ethiopian
Answer: C
Explanation: The Neotropical realm, with its rich tropical forests, hosts the highest density of mammalian species.
21. Why is the distribution of fauna so uneven across different zoogeographical realms?
A) Due to differences in environmental conditions and geographical barriers
B) Because of unequal food resources
C) Due to differences in climate
D) Because of human intervention
Answer: A
Explanation: Faunal distribution is influenced by environmental conditions, geographical barriers, and evolutionary processes.
22. Which of the following animal groups is the most species-rich in the Neotropical realm?
A) Birds
B) Mammals
C) Reptiles
D) Amphibians
Answer: A
Explanation: Birds, particularly tropical species, are extremely diverse in the Neotropical realm, including species like toucans and parrots.
23. Which of these factors contributes most to the formation of zoogeographical realms?
A) Ocean currents
B) Evolutionary isolation
C) Soil types
D) Wind patterns
Answer: B
Explanation: Evolutionary isolation, along with climate and geological barriers, has led to the distinct fauna in each zoogeographical realm.
24. Which zoogeographical realm includes animals like the snow leopard and the red panda?
A) Palearctic
B) Nearctic
C) Oriental
D) Neotropical
Answer: A
Explanation: The Palearctic realm is home to species like the snow leopard and the red panda.
25. What is the term for the boundary that separates two zoogeographical realms?
A) Biogeographical barrier
B) Ecological border
C) Zoogeographical boundary
D) Continental drift
Answer: C
Explanation: A zoogeographical boundary refers to the separation between two realms, where different species exist due to environmental or evolutionary barriers.
26. Which of these species is NOT native to the Ethiopian realm?
A) Giraffe
B) Zebra
C) Panda
D) Elephant
Answer: C
Explanation: Pandas are native to the Oriental realm, not the Ethiopian realm.
27. The Australasian realm includes which of the following islands?
A) Madagascar
B) Australia
C) Greenland
D) Iceland
Answer: B
Explanation: The Australasian realm includes Australia and surrounding islands like New Guinea and Tasmania.
28. What type of climates are characteristic of the Palearctic realm?
A) Tropical and wet
B) Temperate and polar
C) Desert and temperate
D) Arctic and sub-Arctic
Answer: B
Explanation: The Palearctic realm includes a variety of climates, primarily temperate and polar.
29. What is one major reason for the high levels of endemism in the Australasian realm?
A) Geological stability
B) Environmental isolation
C) Climate change
D) Migration
Answer: B
Explanation: The high levels of endemism in the Australasian realm are due to its geographical isolation, which has led to unique evolutionary adaptations.
30. Which realm contains the most species of tropical rainforests?
A) Palearctic
B) Nearctic
C) Neotropical
D) Ethiopian
Answer: C
Explanation: The Neotropical realm contains the majority of the world’s tropical rainforests, which support a high diversity of species.
