Question

Given below are two statements
Statement I: Herpetology means study of frogs, lizards, snakes.
Statement II: Herpetology means study of amphibians like frogs and reptiles like birds and snakes.
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
• C. Statement I is true but Statement II is false
• D. Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Hint:

Herpetology = Slime and Scales (Amphibians + Reptiles). Ornithology = Feathers (Birds). Ichthyology = Fins (Fish). Don't let phylogenetic groupings confuse standard term definitions!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question tests the definition of the branch of zoology called "Herpetology" and asks to evaluate two descriptive statements.
Detailed Explanation:

• Herpetology Definition: Herpetology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians (including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts) and reptiles (including snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises, and crocodilians).

• Statement I Analysis: "study of frogs (amphibian), lizards (reptile), snakes (reptile)." This is a correct, though non-exhaustive, list of the subjects of herpetology. Thus, Statement I is true.

• Statement II Analysis: "study of amphibians like frogs and reptiles like birds and snakes." This statement is incorrect because birds are not reptiles; they belong to the class Aves. The study of birds is called Ornithology. While modern phylogenetics places birds within the reptile clade (Diapsida), in traditional biological classification and for the purpose of defining "Herpetology," birds are excluded. Thus, Statement II is false.

Step 2: Final Answer:
Statement I is true because it lists correct taxa, while Statement II is false because it incorrectly includes birds as reptiles under herpetology.