Question

Given below are two statements.
Statement I - Marsupials diversified into different habitats of Australia which evolved from a common ancestor.
Statement II - Early mammals were huge whale-like animals.
In the light of above statements, choose the correct option given below:

• A. Both statement I and statement II are correct.
• B. Both statement I and statement II are incorrect.
• C. Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect.
• D. Statement I is incorrect but statement II is correct.

Hint:

Marsupials of Australia are a case of adaptive radiation. Early mammals were small, not huge.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Statement I
Australian marsupials such as kangaroo, koala, wombat and marsupial mole arose from a common ancestral stock and spread into different habitats. This is adaptive radiation, so Statement I is true.

Step 2: Statement II
The first mammals were small, shrew-sized animals. Very large mammals appeared much later, so Statement II is false.

Step 3: Conclusion
Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.

Final Answer:
Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect. \[ \boxed{\text{(C) }\text{Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect}} \]