Consider the following statements : Statement-I : Marsupials are not naturally found in India. Statement-II : Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
A
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
B
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
C
Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Correct Answer
D
Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Explanation
Statement-I is correct as marsupials are native only to Australasia and the Americas, while Statement-II is incorrect because marsupials inhabit diverse ecosystems—including deserts and rainforests—and have evolved to coexist with various natural predators. Option (A) is the most tempting wrong choice if one assumes marsupials are highly vulnerable, but the statement’s use of extreme qualifiers like "only" and "no predators" is biologically inaccurate. The core concept being tested is the biogeographical distribution and ecological niches of specific mammalian groups.
BiogeographyMarsupial Distribution & HabitatMarsupialsIndianaturally foundmontane grasslandspredatorsthrive