Question: 155: Western Ghats have a large number of plants and animal species that are not found any where else. Which of the following term is used to notify such species?
(1) Threatened species
(2) Keystone species
(3) Endemic species
(4) Vulnerable species
Answer: Option (3)
Explanation:
Endemic species are those plant and animal species that are restricted to a particular geographical region and are not found naturally anywhere else in the world.
The Western Ghats is a biodiversity hotspot and contains a large number of species that are unique to this region.
Threatened species are those that are likely to become endangered in the near future.
Keystone species are species that have a disproportionately large impact on the structure and functioning of an ecosystem.
Vulnerable species are those that face a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Therefore, species found only in the Western Ghats are referred to as endemic species.