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Facts About Fauna

Fauna — Additional Facts

Species in News - Additional Facts
Figure 1: Additional species facts covering important UPSC questions from recent years (2012-2024).

1. Big Cats — Territory Marking

Context: Male leopards do proclaim their territory by scent marking, just like male lions. (UPSC 2024)
  • Lions do not have a particular breeding season.
  • Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.
  • Male leopards proclaim their territory by scent marking, just like male lions.
  • They use urine spraying, feces deposition, and gland secretions to mark their territory and communicate with other leopards.
  • These scent marks help deter rival males and attract potential mates.
Key Points:

  • Lions — No specific breeding season
  • Cheetahs — Do not roar
  • Leopards — Scent marking (urine, feces, gland secretions) (UPSC 2024)

2. Indian Flying Fox

Context: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. (UPSC 2024)
  • Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus) is a fruit bat.
  • Feeds primarily on fruits, nectar, and flowers, not blood.
  • Plays a crucial role in pollination and seed dispersal.
  • Bats that feed on blood are called vampire bats, but they are found in South America, not India.
Note: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in WPA, 1972. (UPSC 2024)

3. Marsupials

Context: Marsupials (like kangaroos, koalas, and wombats) are not naturally found in India. (UPSC 2023)
  • Marsupials are not naturally found in India.
  • They are mostly found in Australia and the Americas.
  • Marsupials can adapt to various habitats, including forests, grasslands, and even arid regions.
  • They are not limited to montane grasslands and can coexist with predators.

4. IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group

Context: Invasive Species Specialist 'Group' (that develops the Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to IUCN. (UPSC 2023)
Key Point: The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) that develops the Global Invasive Species Database belongs to IUCN. (UPSC 2023)

5. Lion-tailed Macaque

  • Habitat: Upper canopy of tropical evergreen rainforests and monsoon forests in Western Ghats.
  • Activity: Diurnal (active during daytime).
  • Conservation Status:
    • IUCN Red List: Endangered
    • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
    • CITES: Appendix I

6. Malabar Civet

  • Habitat: Western Ghats.
  • Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.
  • Activity: Nocturnal, elusive, little known about its biology.

7. Sambar Deer

Context: Activity patterns of Sambar Deer. (UPSC 2023)
  • Habitat: Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
  • Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.
  • Activity: Crepuscular (active during twilight), not primarily nocturnal. (UPSC 2023)

8. Honeybees

Context: Honeybee colony structure and communication. (UPSC 2023)
  • Live in colonies with a single queen.
  • Worker bees (females) are responsible for foraging.
  • Communicate resource locations through the waggle dance. (UPSC 2023)

9. Indian Squirrels

  • Indian squirrels, like the Indian Palm Squirrel, do not burrow but build nests in trees or elevated areas using leaves and twigs.
  • Nuts are the primary food source, stored underground for retrieval during winter.
  • Squirrels are omnivores — eating nuts, fruits, seeds, insects, small mammals, and even eggs.

10. Gucchi

Context: "Gucchi" is a fungus found in some Himalayan Forest areas. (UPSC 2022)
  • "Gucchi" is a fungus.
  • It grows in some Himalayan Forest areas. (UPSC 2022)

11. Sea Buckthorn

Context: Sea buckthorn is a shrub found above the treeline in the Himalayan region. (UPSC 2012)
  • Sea buckthorn is a shrub found above the treeline in the Himalayan region, especially in arid areas like Ladakh and Spiti.
  • Adaptations: Nutritional value; well-adapted to live in cold areas of high altitudes.
  • Ecological Role: Helps in controlling soil erosion and preventing desertification.
  • Features: Produces orange-yellow edible berries; used for soil binding, preventing erosion.
  • Commercial Value: Used for making juices, jams, and nutritional capsules.
  • Note: It is not a source of biodiesel. (UPSC 2012)

12. Great Hornbill

Context: The Great Hornbill is a large bird found mainly in India. (UPSC 2016)
  • Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) is a large bird.
  • Found mainly in India, particularly in the Western Ghats and Nilgiris.
  • Global Range: Myanmar, southern China, Southeast Asia, and Sumatra. (UPSC 2016)

13. Chiru (Tibetan Antelope) & Oryx

Context: Chiru is also known as Tibetan antelope. (UPSC 2012)

Chiru (Tibetan Antelope)

  • Also known as: Tibetan antelope.
  • Endemic to: Tibetan Plateau.
  • Habitat: Open alpine and cold steppe environments between 3,250 and 5,500 m elevation.
  • IUCN Status: Near Threatened.

Oryx

  • Oryx is a genus consisting of four large antelope species.
  • Prefer near-desert conditions and can survive without water for long periods.
  • IUCN Status: In 2011, it was down-listed from Endangered to Vulnerable. (UPSC 2012)

14. Common Myna

Context: Birds stalking alongside cattle to seize insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. (UPSC 2014)
  • Common Myna — Birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. (UPSC 2014)

15. Dugong

Context: Dugong is a herbivorous marine animal given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. (UPSC 2015)
  • Also known as: Sea Cow.
  • Type: Herbivorous marine mammal.
  • Order: One of the four surviving species in the Order Sirenia.
  • Unique Feature: The only existing species of herbivorous mammal that lives exclusively in the sea.
  • Distribution: Found in over 30 countries.
  • In India: Seen in the Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, Palk Bay, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • Protection: Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. (UPSC 2015)

16. Kharai Camel

Context: Kharai camels have a special ability to swim in seawater and feed on saline plants and mangroves. (UPSC 2016)
  • Kharai camel is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater.
  • Feed on mangroves on the island offshore.
  • To eat this salty marine food, they sometimes swim for hours.
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered. (UPSC 2016)

17. Prosopis juliflora

Context: Invasive species that tends to reduce biodiversity in the area in which it grows. (UPSC 2018)
  • Prosopis juliflora is an invasive species.
  • It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows. (UPSC 2018)

18. Oysters

Context: Oysters are filter feeders that help clarify water and act as indicator organisms. (UPSC 2021)
  • Oysters are filter feeders (suspension feeders).
  • Strain food particles from water using specialized structures.
  • Examples of filter feeders: Clams, krill, sponges, baleen whales, and some fish and birds like flamingos.
  • Ecological Roles:
    • Help clarify water.
    • Act as indicator organisms.
    • Play a role in bioaccumulation. (UPSC 2021)

19. Bird Species in India

Context: India's biodiversity includes several bird species. (UPSC 2020)
  • Ceylon Frogmouth — Bird Species
  • Coppersmith Barbet — Bird Species
  • Gray-chinned Minivet — Bird Species
  • White-throated Redstart — Bird Species (UPSC 2020)

20. Asian Elephants

Context: Asian Elephants — three subspecies and social structure. (UPSC 2020)
  • Three Subspecies: Indian, Sumatran, and Sri Lankan.
  • The majority belong to the Indian subspecies, which has the largest range.
  • Social Structure: The leader of a group is the oldest female (matriarchal).
  • These matriarchal units can occasionally divide into smaller, temporary groups.
  • Reproduction:
    • Gestation period: 22 months.
    • Yields a single baby.
    • Sexually mature in early teens but generally start to mate at about 20 years.
    • Stop bearing calves at about 50 years. (UPSC 2020)

21. Summary: Additional Species Facts at a Glance

Species/Topic Key Fact UPSC Year
Big Cats Cheetahs don't roar; Leopards scent mark 2024
Indian Flying Fox Vermin category in WPA; fruit bat 2024
Marsupials Not found in India; mostly Australia/Americas 2023
ISSG Belongs to IUCN 2023
Lion-tailed Macaque Western Ghats; Endangered; Schedule I —
Malabar Civet Western Ghats; Critically Endangered —
Sambar Deer Crepuscular; Vulnerable 2023
Honeybees Waggle dance; single queen 2023
Gucchi Fungus in Himalayan forests 2022
Sea Buckthorn Not a biodiesel source; prevents erosion 2012
Great Hornbill Western Ghats & Nilgiris 2016
Chiru (Tibetan Antelope) Near Threatened; Tibetan Plateau 2012
Oryx Vulnerable (2011); near-desert 2012
Common Myna Stalks cattle for insects 2014
Dugong Sea Cow; Schedule I; Gulf of Mannar, etc. 2015
Kharai Camel Swims in seawater; Endangered 2016
Prosopis juliflora Invasive; reduces biodiversity 2018
Oysters Filter feeders; indicator organisms 2021
Bird Species Ceylon Frogmouth, Coppersmith Barbet, etc. 2020
Asian Elephants Matriarchal; 22 months gestation 2020
Key Takeaways for UPSC

  • Big Cats (2024): Cheetahs don't roar; Leopards scent mark
  • Indian Flying Fox (2024): Vermin category; fruit bat (not vampire)
  • Marsupials (2023): Not found in India; mostly Australia/Americas
  • ISSG (2023): Belongs to IUCN — develops Global Invasive Species Database
  • Sambar Deer (2023): Crepuscular (not nocturnal); Vulnerable
  • Honeybees (2023): Waggle dance; single queen; worker bees forage
  • Gucchi (2022): Fungus in Himalayan forests
  • Sea Buckthorn (2012): Prevents erosion; not a biodiesel source
  • Great Hornbill (2016): Western Ghats & Nilgiris
  • Chiru (2012): Tibetan antelope; Near Threatened
  • Oryx (2012): Downlisted to Vulnerable in 2011
  • Common Myna (2014): Stalks cattle for insects
  • Dugong (2015): Sea Cow; Schedule I WPA
  • Kharai Camel (2016): Swims in seawater; Endangered
  • Prosopis juliflora (2018): Invasive, reduces biodiversity
  • Oysters (2021): Filter feeders; indicator organisms
  • Asian Elephants (2020): Matriarchal; 22 months gestation
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Species in News — Additional Facts)

Q1. Which big cat does NOT roar?

Correct Answer: C. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar. (UPSC 2024)

Q2. The Indian Flying Fox is placed under which category in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972?

Correct Answer: C. The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. (UPSC 2024)

Q3. Which of the following is NOT naturally found in India?

Correct Answer: C. Marsupials (like kangaroos, koalas, and wombats) are not naturally found in India. They are mostly found in Australia and the Americas. (UPSC 2023)

Q4. The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) belongs to which organization?

Correct Answer: C. The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) that develops the Global Invasive Species Database belongs to IUCN. (UPSC 2023)

Q5. Sambar Deer is primarily:

Correct Answer: B. Sambar Deer is crepuscular (active during twilight), not primarily nocturnal. (UPSC 2023)

Q6. "Gucchi" is a:

Correct Answer: C. "Gucchi" is a fungus that grows in some Himalayan Forest areas. (UPSC 2022)

Q7. Sea Buckthorn is NOT a source of:

Correct Answer: D. Sea Buckthorn is used for making juices, jams, and nutritional capsules, but it is not a source of biodiesel. (UPSC 2012)

Q8. The Dugong is also known as:

Correct Answer: C. Dugong is also known as Sea Cow. It is a herbivorous marine mammal given legal protection under Schedule I of WPA, 1972. (UPSC 2015)

Q9. Which of the following is an invasive species that reduces biodiversity?

Correct Answer: B. Prosopis juliflora is an invasive species that tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows. (UPSC 2018)

Q10. The gestation period of Asian Elephants is:

Correct Answer: C. The gestation period for Asian Elephants lasts for 22 months, yielding a single baby. The leader of a group is the oldest female (matriarchal). (UPSC 2020)

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