Question: What is the reason behind extinction of Great Barrier Reef’s only endemic (found nowhere else) mammal species?
(a) Climate change
(b) Hunting
(c) Lack of food
(d) None of the above
Ans:(a)
Related facts:
- According to the report published on 14 June 2016, Australian Great Barrier Reef rodent goes Extinct.
- It was believed to be Great Barrier Reef’s only endemic (found nowhere else) mammal species.
- It is the first recorded extinction of a mammal anywhere in the world thought to be primarily due to human-induced(anthropogenic ) climate change.
- The last known sighting of this species was in 2009 by a professional fisherman.
- The news of extinction was revealed in the report of a survey led by Ian Gynther from Queensland’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection in partnership with the University of Queensland.
- It should be noted that the Australian rats are commonly called as Bramble Cay melomys.
- It was mainly found in a small coral cay called Bramble Cay located off the north coast of Queensland in the Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Reference:
https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/threatened-species/documents/bramble-cay-melomys-survey-report.pdf
https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/threatened-species/endangered/endangered-animals/bramble_cay_melomys.html
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/14/first-case-emerges-of-mammal-species-wiped-out-by-human-induced-climate-change
http://ecowatch.com/2016/06/14/mammal-extinction-climate-change/