Which of the following latitudinal ranges harbour more number of species ?

Options

A. `40^(@)` N to `60^(@)` N
B. `23.5^(@)` N to `23.5^(@)` N
C. `30^(@)`S to `45^(@)` S
D. `15^(@)` N to `45^(@)` N

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Biodiversity**: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem. It includes species richness, which is the number of different species present in an area.

2. **Latitudinal Gradient of Biodiversity**: Biodiversity is not uniformly distributed across the Earth. It varies according to latitudinal gradients. Generally, biodiversity is higher near the equator and decreases as one moves towards the poles.

3. **Tropical Regions**: The regions around the equator, known as tropical areas, are characterized by high biodiversity. This is due to several factors:
- **Stable Climate**: Tropical regions have a stable climate with warm temperatures and adequate rainfall throughout the year.
- **Geological Stability**: These areas have been relatively undisturbed for millions of years, allowing species to evolve and diversify.

4. **Identifying the Latitudinal Range**: The latitudinal range that corresponds to the tropical regions is between 23.5°N (Tropic of Cancer) and 23.5°S (Tropic of Capricorn). This area is known for having the highest species richness.

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the above understanding, the latitudinal range that harbors the most number of species is the tropical area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

### Final Answer:
The latitudinal range that harbors the most number of species is the tropical area between 23.5°N and 23.5°S.

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