NEET2026BiologyChapterActual
During an ecological survey of an isolated oceanic island, researchers discovered a unique species of orchid that grows naturally only on that specific island and is completely absent from the rest of the world. How would this species be ecologically categorized?
Options
- AExotic species
- BEndemic species
- CCosmopolitan species
- DPioneer species
Correct answer
B. Endemic species
Step-by-step solution
Endemic species are those species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a particular geographical area and are not found naturally anywhere else. Since the unique species of orchid grows naturally only on that specific isolated oceanic island and is completely absent from the rest of the world, it is categorized as an endemic species. Exotic species are introduced from outside their native range. Cosmopolitan species are distributed across most of the world. Pioneer species are the first to colonize