Question

Match the following mammals with their correct category and geographical distribution.

Column - I	Column - II
(P) Kangaroo	(1) Monotreme found in Australia
(Q) Platypus	(2) Marsupial found mainly in Australia
(R) Whale	(3) Placental mammal
(S) Echidna	(4) Egg laying mammal

Choose the correct option.

• A. \(P \rightarrow 2,\ Q \rightarrow 1,\ R \rightarrow 3,\ S \rightarrow 4\)
• B. \(P \rightarrow 1,\ Q \rightarrow 2,\ R \rightarrow 3,\ S \rightarrow 4\)
• C. \(P \rightarrow 2,\ Q \rightarrow 4,\ R \rightarrow 1,\ S \rightarrow 3\)
• D. \(P \rightarrow 3,\ Q \rightarrow 1,\ R \rightarrow 2,\ S \rightarrow 4\)

Hint:

Monotremes are the only egg-laying mammals. Examples:
• Platypus
• Echidna Marsupials possess a pouch called marsupium.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: Mammals are divided into three major subclasses:
• Prototheria (monotremes)
• Metatheria (marsupials)
• Eutheria (placental mammals) Australia possesses a unique diversity of monotremes and marsupials due to long geographical isolation.

Step 1: Identifying Kangaroo. Kangaroo:
• is a marsupial mammal
• possesses abdominal pouch
• mainly occurs in Australia Thus: \[ P \rightarrow 2 \]

Step 2: Identifying Platypus. Platypus:
• is a monotreme
• lays eggs
• is native to Australia Thus: \[ Q \rightarrow 1 \]

Step 3: Identifying Whale. Whale:
• is a placental mammal
• gives birth to fully developed young ones Thus: \[ R \rightarrow 3 \]

Step 4: Identifying Echidna. Echidna:
• is an egg-laying mammal
• belongs to monotremes Thus: \[ S \rightarrow 4 \] Final matching: \[ P \rightarrow 2,\quad Q \rightarrow 1,\quad R \rightarrow 3,\quad S \rightarrow 4 \] Hence correct option is (A). Final Answer: \[ \boxed{(A)} \]