Which of the following is the highest species-rich taxonomic group among animals?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Insects
Option (1) Insects — Correct. Insects are the most species-rich taxonomic group among animals, making up more than 70 per cent of all animal species.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 07-06-2026 (Slot 2).
NCERT Extract:
Biodiversity – “… Let us look at some interesting aspects about earth’s biodiversity based on the currently available species inventories. More than 70 per cent of all the species recorded are animals, while plants (including algae, fungi, bryophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms) comprise no more than 22 per cent of the total. Among animals, insects are the most species-rich taxonomic group, making up more than 70 per cent of the total. That means, out of every 10 animals on this planet, 7 are insects.”