Correct option is D
The Lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) is a primate species found in the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats in India. It is an arboreal species, meaning it spends most of its life in trees and is adapted to dense tropical rainforests.
- Habitat: Restricted to evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of the Western Ghats.
- Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, leaves, and small animals.
- Conservation Status:Endangered (IUCN Red List) due to habitat destruction and fragmentation.
Information Booster
- Evergreen Forests in India: Found in the Western Ghats, Northeast India, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Characteristics of Evergreen Forests:
- High rainfall (above 200 cm per year).
- Dense tree cover with multiple canopy layers.
- High biodiversity.
- Other Mammals in Indian Evergreen Forests:
- Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus)
- Malabar civet (Viverra civettina)
- Nilgiri langur (Trachypithecus johnii)
- Threats to Lion-tailed Macaque:
- Deforestation and habitat fragmentation due to plantations.
- Human encroachment in forested areas.
- Hunting and poaching.
- Conservation Efforts:
- Protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Found in Silent Valley National Park, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
Additional Information
Option (1) Nilgai (Incorrect):
- Found in grasslands and dry deciduous forests of India.
- Prefers open habitats rather than evergreen forests.
Option (2) Blackbuck (Incorrect):
- Inhabits open grasslands and scrub forests.
- Found in semi-arid regions of India, including Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Option (3) Cheetah (Incorrect):
- Historically found in open plains, grasslands, and dry forests.
- The Asiatic cheetah is now extinct in India, while African cheetahs have been introduced in Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
