Which one is not the example of an invasive alien species?

The correct answer is Option (3) → Quagga

Alien species invasion is one of the four main causes of biodiversity loss (“The Evil Quartet”).

Option (1) Eichhornia — An invasive alien species. Water hyacinth is an invasive weed. It spreads over ponds and lakes and harms the native plants and animals there.

Option (2) Lantana — An invasive alien species. Lantana is an invasive weed that has taken over forests and wasteland and threatens our native species.

Option (3) Quagga — Not an invasive alien species. The quagga was a zebra-like animal of Africa. It became extinct in recent times, like the thylacine of Australia and Steller’s sea cow of Russia. It is an example of an extinct species, not of an invader.

Option (4) Clarias gariepinus — An invasive alien species. The African catfish was illegally brought in for aquaculture. It threatens the native catfishes of our rivers.

Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2025 on 30-05-2025 (Slot 1).

NCERT Extract:
Loss of Biodiversity – “… Some examples of recent extinctions include the dodo (Mauritius), quagga (Africa), thylacine (Australia), Steller’s Sea Cow (Russia) and three subspecies (Bali, Javan, Caspian) of tiger.”
Loss of Biodiversity – “… (iii) Alien species invasions: When alien species are introduced unintentionally or deliberately for whatever purpose, some of them turn invasive, and cause decline or extinction of indigenous species. … You must be familiar with the environmental damage caused and threat posed to our native species by invasive weed species like carrot grass (Parthenium), Lantana and water hyacinth (Eicchornia). The recent illegal introduction of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus for aquaculture purposes is posing a threat to the indigenous catfishes in our rivers.”