Answer: Option C. -> Genetic diversity
:
C
A species can have variations in their genetic makeup, that distinguish each individual from others in the population. Such variations give rise to diversity in the population, which is termed as genetic diversity.

Answer: Option C. -> Vulnerable
:
C
The IUCN Red List has been divided into categories based on how much threat a species faces towards extinction. As the number of individuals of a species keeps reducing, the species keeps moving towards the extinction category.

Answer: Option A. -> Both A and R are correct and R explains A
:
A
Most species co-evolve in their natural habitat; therefore most organisms have deep-rooted and sometimes obligate relationships with other species in their habitat, for e.g., an obligate predator, parasite or a pollinator. When one such organism is lost, their relationships are also lost, thereby threatening the survival of other species that are associated with it, either through mutualistic, predatory or parasitic relationships.

Answer: Option A. -> True
:
A
Species richness represented as ‘S’ is defined as the number of different species in a given area. It does not take into account the relative abundance or distribution of the species. This indicates the biodiversity of the region.

Answer: Option C. -> Two animals each of three species belonging to different taxonomic groups
:
C
The diversity of any ecosystem is determined by two factors - species richness and species evenness. Species richness defines the number of different species present in the ecosystem, while species evenness defines how evenly the number of individuals of a species is spread across in the ecosystem. Keeping this in mind, two animals each of three different taxa represent more diversity than the rest of the options.

Answer: Option D. -> Lesser interspecific competition
:
D
A Biodiversity Hotspot is a place with high species richness and biological diversity. Due to a large number of species co-inhabiting the same area, interspecific competition is bound to take place.

Answer: Option C. -> Background extinction rate
:
C
There are many reasons why species go extinct. Natural disasters can cause mass extinctions. Apart from this, species go extinct at a natural rate, this is called background extinction, wherein species are subjected to natural selection and evolution, causing some species to go extinct and resulting in the survival of the fittest. These are natural reasons for the loss of biodiversity. Apart from these, the major reasons for extinction today are man-made; these include habitat loss and fragmentation, over-exploitation, invasion of alien species and co-extinctions.

Answer: Option A. -> Both A and R are correct and R explains A
:
A
The assertion is true that there is a direct correlation between diversity and the presence of pollinators because pollinators like bees and birds travel from plant to plant for feeding on berries or collection of nectar and in turn, facilitate pollination by transferring pollen from one plant to the other. This increases cross-pollination and ensures a high degree of diversity in new saplings.

Answer: Option C. -> Co-extinction
:
C
Lions depend on deer for their food. If the population of deer disappeared, the lions would have not enough food to consume and could face the threat of extinction. Such a phenomenon wherein two species go extinct together is called co-extinction.

Answer: Option C. -> Statement A is correct, B is wrong
:
C
Gamma diversity is the diversity of an entire landscape and not just a small portion of a local ecosystem. Moreover, biodiversity tends to increase when you compare that in the lower altitudes to that in the higher altitudes.