Which one of the following correctly lists species that became extinct in recent centuries?

Correct Option

The correct option is Dodo, Quagga, and Thylacine.

Explanation

Extinction refers to the complete disappearance of a species from Earth. In recent centuries, the rate of extinction has accelerated significantly due to anthropogenic factors such as overhunting, habitat destruction, and the introduction of invasive species. The IUCN Red List categorizes species based on their conservation status, ranging from "Least Concern" to "Extinct".

Option Analysis

• Dodo, Quagga, and Thylacine: Correct.
  • Dodo (Raphus cucullatus): A flightless bird endemic to Mauritius. It became extinct in the late 17th century primarily due to hunting by sailors and predation by introduced invasive species.
  • Quagga (Equus quagga quagga): A subspecies of the plains zebra native to South Africa. It was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century (the last individual died in captivity in 1883).
  • Thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus): Also known as the Tasmanian Tiger, it was the largest modern carnivorous marsupial. Native to Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, it was declared extinct in the 20th century (1936).
• Kakapo, Quagga, and Panda: Incorrect.
  • While the Quagga is extinct, the Kakapo (a flightless parrot from New Zealand) is Critically Endangered, and the Giant Panda is currently classified as Vulnerable (previously Endangered). Neither is extinct.
• Thylacine, Kiwi, and Steller’s Sea Cow: Incorrect.
  • The Thylacine and Steller’s Sea Cow (extinct since 1768) are extinct. However, the Kiwi is an extant flightless bird from New Zealand (status varies from Vulnerable to Near Threatened depending on the species).
• Steller’s Sea Cow, Emu, and Javan Tiger: Incorrect.
  • Steller’s Sea Cow and the Javan Tiger are extinct. However, the Emu is a large flightless bird native to Australia that is abundant and classified as Least Concern.

Key Takeaway: Major species that have become extinct in recent centuries due to human activity include the Dodo (Mauritius), Quagga (Africa), Thylacine (Australia), Steller’s Sea Cow (Russia/Alaska), and the Passenger Pigeon (North America).