UPSC Prelims 2025Question 37Environment

Regarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements:
I. It is an omnivorous crustacean.
II. Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas.
III. In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options

(a)I only
(b)I and III
(c)II only
(d)II and III

Correct answer: d

Decision rule

A statement that misfiles an animal's taxonomic class — a spider called a crustacean — is false whatever else it says; check class before habit.

Explanation

Correct Answer:

(d) II and III

Explanation of the Correct Answer:

The Peacock Tarantula or Gooty Tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) is a critically endangered arboreal tarantula species found in a very limited forest habitat in India.

Statement I – Incorrect:
It is not a crustacean. It is an arachnid, belonging to the spider family. Also, it is carnivorous, preying on insects and small animals, not omnivorous.
Statement II – Correct:
Its natural habitat is extremely restricted, confined to degraded dry deciduous forest in Andhra Pradesh (around Gooty in the Eastern Ghats). It is listed as critically endangered due to its narrow range and habitat loss.
Statement III – Correct:
The species is arboreal in its natural habitat, meaning it lives in trees, building silk retreats under bark or within tree hollows.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

(a) I only: Incorrect, because Statement I is factually wrong (it is not a crustacean or omnivore).
(b) I and III: Incorrect due to incorrect Statement I.
(c) II only: Incomplete, since Statement III is also correct.

Relevant Supplementary Information

Table: Key Facts About Peacock (Gooty) Tarantula

Concept	Explanation
Taxonomic Group	Belongs to Arachnida, not Crustacea. It is a spider, not a crab or shrimp.
Scientific Name	Poecilotheria metallica
Common Name	Peacock Tarantula, Gooty Tarantula
Feeding Habit	Carnivorous, feeds on insects and small invertebrates.
Habitat Type	Arboreal – lives in trees, builds silk retreats under bark or inside tree cavities.
Geographic Range	Extremely restricted – found only near Gooty, in Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Habitat Description	Dry deciduous forest, often degraded due to human activity.
Conservation Status	Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List) due to habitat loss and illegal pet trade.
Coloration	Bright metallic blue, especially on the legs and carapace – rare and visually striking among tarantulas.
Threats	Habitat destruction, logging, illegal collection for exotic pet trade, narrow geographic range.
Legal Protection	Subject to wildlife protection regulations under Indian and international law (e.g., CITES).

Related Concepts:

Arboreal species: Animals that live in trees.
Crustaceans: A different group (e.g., crabs, lobsters); spiders belong to Arachnida.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: Tracks the conservation status of species globally.

Current Relevance:

India's biodiversity conservation initiatives highlight such narrow-range species.
There is a growing concern about illegal wildlife trade, especially exotic pet trade in species like the Peacock Tarantula.
Conservation of dry deciduous forests is key to the survival of such endemic species.

Peacock (Gooty) Tarantula

Statement	Claim	Accuracy	Explanation
I	It is an omnivorous crustacean	Incorrect	- Gooty tarantula is an arachnid (spider), not a crustacean. - It is also carnivorous, preying on insects, not omnivorous.
II	Its natural habitat in India is limited to some forest areas	Correct	- The species is endemic to a very small region in the Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh. - Found near Gooty town; hence the name.
III	It is an arboreal species in its natural habitat	Correct	- It lives in trees, making silken retreats under bark. - Typical behavior of arboreal tarantulas.

Additional Notes:

The Peacock Tarantula is often cited as a textbook example of:
- Endemism: Species restricted to a small area.
- Conservation concern: Species with very limited range and facing anthropogenic threats.
It is a flagship species for invertebrate conservation in India due to its rarity and visual appeal.

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Regarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements:I. It is an omnivorous crustacean.II. Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas.III. In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?