1.“Azhdarchid pterosaurs”, the ancient giant reptiles are known for which peculiar part of the body?
[A] Tail
[B] Neck
[C] Fins
[D] Horns
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Explanation: Azhdarchid pterosaurs were the ancient giant reptiles that flew in the skies nearly 65 million years ago. They had necks longer than that of a giraffe, over 6 feet long. Recently, researchers have reported a new finding about their long necks. As per the study, the pterosaurs were supported by an intricate internal structure, which is not like the earlier discovered ones. ©navclasses
2.‘Indian Ocean humpback dolphin’ is categorised under which group in the IUCN Red list?
[A] Extinct in the Wild
[B] Endangered
[C] Vulnerable
[D] Least Concern
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Explanation: The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin is a member of the Ocean Dolphin family, which occupy coastal areas ranging from Southern Africa to Western Indochina. The dolphins are included in the international Union for Conservation of Nature’s list of ‘endangered species. Recently, two Indian Ocean humpback dolphins, were found dead in two separate spots at Mumbai. ©navclasses
3.What is the name of the largest African forest antelope, classified as critically endangered species by IUCN?
[A] Eland
[B] Impala
[C] Nyala
[D] Bongo
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Explanation: Mountain bongos are the largest among African forest antelopes, are a critically endangered species. According to the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species, there are only 70-80 adult bongos left in the wild. Recently, a baby mountain bongo, born two weeks ago at Warsaw Zoo in Poland, appeared in public. The animals are nocturnal and have long horns and reddish-brown coat offset with thin vertical lines. ©navclasses
4.Which animal has recently resurfaced in India, in Mizoram’s Pualreng sanctuary, after a gap of 108 years?
[A] Snow leopard
[B] Hyena
[C] Yamuna Dolphins
[D] Doria’s foam-nesting treefrog
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Explanation: A team of zoologists belonging to Mizoram University have spotted Doria’s foam-nesting treefrog in the buffer area of Mizoram’s Pualreng Wildlife Sanctuary. This discovery was made by them in June 2020, which has now been published in a leading journal – Reptiles & Amphibians. This species has characters like changing skin shade and whipping up foam to protect eggs. It is believed that this frog has reappeared in India after 108 years. ©navclasses
5.Little Bloodtail, which is considered as a harbinger of monsoon, belong to which type of species?
[A] Humming Bird
[B] Dragonfly
[C] Frog
[D] Turtle
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Explanation: Little Bloodtail is a small dragonfly, which has wide presence in the state of Kerala. This species of dragonfly can be spotted from the beginning of June till September. Since the life cycle of little bloodtail is very closely linked with monsoon, they are considered as a harbinger of monsoon (which announces the arrival of an event). ©navclasses
6.What is the IUCN Red List Category of the North Atlantic right whale, which was making news recently?
[A] Vulnerable (VU)
[B] Endangered (EN)
[C] Critically Endangered (CR)
[D] Extinct In the Wild (EW)
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Explanation: As per a recent study, the younger generation of North Atlantic right whales are about three feet shorter than whales were 20 years ago. Entanglements with fishing gear, collisions with ships and climate change moving their food supply north are said to be the reasons for this phenomenon. The whales are being classified as ‘Critically endangered’ by IUCN. ©navclasses
7.A new specie named “Satin berrypecker” has been discovered in which country?
[A] New Guinea
[B] Argentina
[C] Brazil
[D] Nicaragua
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Explanation: A new species of berrypecker named “satin berrypecker” has been discovered in the Kumawa Mountains of western New Guinea. Berrypecker is a very small bird family restricted to the mountain forests of New Guinea. “Satin berrypecker” is the 6th species to be discovered and is distinct from other members of the genus in term of coloration, morphological measurements, and genetic markers. ©navclasses
8.Which marine animal, also known as ‘Sea Cow’ is facing mass deaths in the USA?
[A] Manatees
[B] Sea Otter
[C] Sperm Whale
[D] Bottlenose Dolphin
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Explanation: At least 841 of the manatees have died this year in the US state of Florida, mainly from starvation. Manatees are large, aquatic marine mammals, also known as sea cows. They are generally herbivores. In 2013, as many as 830 manatees died after exposure to harmful algae. The main issue is the increasing waste contamination of Florida’s waterways, which leads to the accumulation of algae and the loss of seagrass. Most of the deaths are said to have happened when manatees migrated to the Indian River Lagoon, where most seagrass had died. ©navclasses
9.In which state, over 400 parrots are alleged to have died, due to chemical spray?
[A] Kerala
[B] Punjab
[C] Gujarat
[D] Haryana
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Explanation: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the chief wildlife warden (CWW) of Punjab to look into the allegation of death of 400 parrots in Faridkot. As per a plea by a social activist, nearly 400 parrots died in the premises of the Faridkot deputy commissioner due to a chemical having been sprayed on jamun trees. The district administration claimed that the parrots died due to a sand storm. ©navclasses
10.Bhindawas has been recognized as a Ramsar site. In which state is it located?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Odisha
[D] Haryana
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Explanation: These sites are Wadhwana and Thol from Gujarat and Sultanpur and Bhindawas from Haryana. The number of Ramsar sites in India is 46 and the surface area covered by these sites is now 1,083,322 hectares. While Haryana gets its first Ramsar sites, Gujarat gets three more after Nalsarovar which was declared in 2012. The goal of the Ramsar List is to develop and maintain an international network of wetlands vital to the conservation of global biodiversity and sustaining human life through the maintenance of benefits, ecosystem components and processes. ©navclasses