Which statement is true about the number of fungi species in the worl…

The correct answer is Option (2) → There are more fungi species than the combined total of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.

Of all the species recorded on earth, more than 70 per cent are animals, and insects are the richest group. Among other groups, fungi are very rich in species. The number of fungi species in the world is more than the species of fishes, amphibians, reptiles and mammals added together.

Option (1) There are fewer fungi species than fish species. — Incorrect. Fungi species are far more numerous than fish species. Even all fishes, amphibians, reptiles and mammals together are fewer than the fungi.

Option (2) There are more fungi species than the combined total of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. — Correct. The book compares fungi with four vertebrate groups at once. The fungi outnumber the combined total of fishes, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

Option (3) The number of fungi species is the same as the number of reptiles. — Incorrect. Reptiles are only one of the four groups that together have fewer species than fungi. So fungi are much more numerous than reptiles.

Option (4) The number of fungi species is the same as the number of insect species. — Incorrect. Insects are the most species-rich group; 7 out of every 10 animals are insects. Fungi have far fewer species than insects.

NCERT Extract:
How Many Species Are There on Earth and How Many in India? – “… 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. … The number of fungi species in the world is more than the combined total of the species of fishes, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.”