When a host fish species becomes extinct, its unique assemblage of parasites also meets the same fate. This phenomenon is an example of which of the following causes of biodiversity loss?

Step-by-step solution

According to NCERT, when a species becomes extinct, the plant and animal species associated with it in an obligatory way also become extinct. When a host fish species becomes extinct, its unique assemblage of parasites also meets the same fate. This is termed as co-extinction, which is one of the four major causes of biodiversity loss (the 'Evil Quartet'). Alien species invasion refers to the introduction of non-native species. Overexploitation refers to humans harvesting species at unsustainable rates. Habitat los