Question

Which group of vertebrates among the following comprises the highest number of endangered species.
(a) Birds
(b) Mammals
(c) Fishes
(d) Reptiles

Answer 1

Hint: They form the major portion of the vertebrate kingdom. Among the vertebrates, they are the most complex animal that cannot easily adapt to environmental changes, and some of them are also used as a source of industrial raw materials.

Complete answer:
Mammals have the highest that is, 177 endangered species among vertebrates which represents 3.8% of all the species.
A species of plants or animals which are at the risk of extinction are called endangered species.in other words, a taxon is endangered, when its populations have decreased or habitats have been considerably reduced.
Species become endangered mainly because of two reasons, first is the loss of habitat and second is the loss of genetic variation.
When a natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species, it is called loss of habitat or habitat destruction.
Some causes for loss of habitat are overexploitation of resources and environmental pollution. A loss of habitat can also happen naturally. Dinosaurs have lost their habitat about 65 million years ago.
Whereas loss of genetic variation means species are less adaptable to climate change.

So, the correct option is,’ Mammals’

Sparrow

Red Panda

Tiger

Notes:
1. Our planet is facing a global extinction crisis never witnessed by humankind. Scientists are worried that more than 1 million species are on track for extinction in the coming decades.
2. Most mammals give their young ones more protection and training than other animals. All mammals have hair or fur at some time in their life, but in whales, it is present only before birth. Mammals are warm-blooded.
3. Some most famous endangered species are tigers (Panthera tigris), whooping crane (Grus americana), blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), sea otter (Enhydra lutris), snow leopard (Panthera uncia), snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and gorilla (Gorilla beringei and Gorilla gorilla).