Rauwolfia vomitoria growing in different Himalayan ranges shows:

The correct answer is Option (4) → Genetic diversity

Biodiversity is seen at three levels. Genetic diversity is the variation within a single species over its range. The medicinal plant Rauwolfia vomitoria is one species, but plants growing in different Himalayan ranges differ in the potency and concentration of the chemical they make, reserpine. This variation is genetic.

(1) Species diversity — Incorrect. This is the variety of different species in a region, such as the many amphibian species of the Western Ghats. Here there is only one species.

(2) Ecological diversity — Incorrect. This is the variety of ecosystems in a region, such as deserts, rain forests, mangroves and coral reefs.

(3) Classical diversity — Incorrect. No such level of biodiversity exists. The three levels are genetic, species and ecological.

(4) Genetic diversity — Correct. The difference lies within one species.

Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2023 on 11-06-2023 (Slot 3) and on 08-06-2023 (Slot 3).

NCERT Extract:
Biodiversity – …