Match List I with List II
| List I (Placental mammals) | List II (Australian Marsupials) |
|---|---|
| A. Anteater | I. Tasmanian tiger cat |
| B. Lemur | II. Tasmanian Wolf |
| C. Bobcat | III. Spotted cuscus |
| D. Wolf | IV. Numbat |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II
(A) Anteater — this matches (IV) Numbat. The numbat is the marsupial anteater of Australia. Both feed on ants and termites, so they have come to look alike.
(B) Lemur — this matches (III) Spotted cuscus. Both are tree-living animals with grasping hands, large eyes and a long tail.
(C) Bobcat — this matches (I) Tasmanian tiger cat. Both are small cat-like hunters of other small animals.
(D) Wolf — this matches (II) Tasmanian Wolf. The Tasmanian wolf was a dog-like marsupial predator, shaped like the placental wolf.
Each pair is a case of convergent evolution: a placental mammal and an Australian marsupial that are not closely related evolved a similar form because they live in a similar way.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 19-05-2026 (Slot 2), and in CUET (UG) 2024 on 15-05-2024 (Slot 1).