Introduction of which one of the following organisms/species did not cause decline or extinction of indigenous species?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Steller’s Sea cow
Alien species are species brought into a new area. Some become invasive and cause the decline or extinction of the native species.
Option (1) Eichhornia crassipes — Caused decline of indigenous species. Water hyacinth chokes water bodies and harms native plant and animal life.
Option (2) Nile Perch — Caused decline of indigenous species. Brought into Lake Victoria, it led to the extinction of more than 200 species of cichlid fish.
Option (3) Clarias gariepinus — Caused decline of indigenous species. The African catfish, illegally introduced for aquaculture, threatens the native catfishes of our rivers.
Option (4) Steller’s Sea cow — Did not cause decline of indigenous species. It was not an introduced species at all; it is itself one of the recent extinctions (Russia).
NCERT Extract:
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. The Nile perch introduced into Lake Victoria in east Africa led eventually to the extinction of an ecologically unique assemblage of more than 200 species of cichlid fish in the lake. 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.”
Loss of Biodiversity – “… Many species extinctions in the last 500 years (Steller’s sea cow, passenger pigeon) were due to overexploitation by humans.”