Question

The term used for species in which the last individual has died or is not recorded is

• A. Extinct
• B. Near threatened
• C. Endangered
• D. Vulnerable

Hint:

Familiarize yourself with the main IUCN categories in order of severity: Least Concern $\rightarrow$ Near Threatened $\rightarrow$ Vulnerable $\rightarrow$ Endangered $\rightarrow$ Critically Endangered $\rightarrow$ Extinct in the Wild $\rightarrow$ Extinct.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Problem:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorizes the conservation status of species on the Red List based on their population size, habitat loss, and imminent extinction risk.
Step 2: Approach and Formula:
Match the provided definition regarding the death of the "last individual" to the exact IUCN Red List category terms.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the standard definitions for the given categories:
- Endangered: A species facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
- Vulnerable: A species likely to become endangered unless circumstances improve.
- Near threatened: A species that may be considered threatened in the near future.
- Extinct: This category is assigned when exhaustive surveys in known habitats fail to record a single surviving individual, leaving no reasonable doubt that the very last individual of the species has died.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The appropriate term for a species whose last individual has died is Extinct.