UPSC Civil Services Model Paper 2

● In the river Cauvery, the Mahseer community comprises a “blue-finned” and an “orange-finned, hump-backed” fish .
◦ While it is not yet known whether these are distinct species or 2 different phenotypes, evidence suggests that the hump-backed phenotype isendemic to the river , whereas the blue-finned phenotype was introduced in the 1980s. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● Irrawaddy Dolphin is a critically endangered species .
◦ They are found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers : the Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo)and Mekong .
◦ In India , it is found in Lake Chilika and not the Chambal river. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
● Rusty Spotted Cat is one of the world's smallest feline.
◦ In India, it was long thought to be confined to the south, but records have established that it is found over much of the country .
◦ It was observed in eastern Gujarat’s Gir National Park , in Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and along India’s Eastern Ghats .Hence, statement 3 is correct