Question

Which of the following is an extinct animal?
a. Tiger
b. Columba
c. Protopterus
d. Archeopteryx

Answer 1

Hint: The extinct species are the species which once existed but are now no longer surviving or alive. These animals are being classified by the IUCN red list as the extinct group which are no longer found.

Complete answer:
The red data list has the record of the organisms which are extinct, endangered or threatened. The organisms that are extinct cannot be recovered again.

In this question, we are given four options of the animals, let us discuss their status one by one.
• Tiger- The scientific name of tiger is Panthera tigris. It has an orange brown fur with vertical stripes on it. It is an apex predator who mostly preys on deer and wild boars. Tigers are listed as an endangered species in the IUCN red data book.

• Columba- The Columba are commonly composed of birds known as pigeons. There are around 35 species of pigeons found around the world.

• Protopterus- It is a genus which consists of four surviving species of lung fishes found in Africa. These fishes are adapted to breathe in low oxygen water/environment by the help of a lung like structure.

• Archeopteryx- It is a genus of bird like dinosaur. It was referred to as the connecting link between reptiles and aves. These animals are now extinct and their structure and adaptations are also studied through fossils.

Hence the correct answer is option (d).

Note: The endangered species are the species who are still surviving but the number is relatively less and if not taken care of can become extinct. Few of the endangered animals are blue whale, African penguin, Asiatic lion, green sea turtle, Asian elephant etc.