In the IUCN red book which category has maximum extinction of species in the last 500 years ?

Options

A. Vertebrates
B. Invertebrates
C. Plants
D. Birds

Answer

To answer the question regarding which category in the IUCN Red Book has the maximum extinction of species in the last 500 years, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the IUCN Red Book**: The IUCN Red Book is a comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. It categorizes species based on their risk of extinction.

2. **Identify the Categories of Species**: The main categories we need to consider for this question are:
- Vertebrates
- Invertebrates
- Plants
- Birds (Note: Birds are a subset of vertebrates)

3. **Examine Extinction Data**: According to the IUCN, a total of 784 species have been recorded as extinct in the last 500 years. We need to break down this number by category:
- Vertebrates: 338 species
- Invertebrates: 359 species
- Plants: 87 species

4. **Compare the Numbers**: Now, we compare the number of extinct species in each category:
- Vertebrates: 338
- Invertebrates: 359
- Plants: 87

5. **Determine the Maximum**: From the comparison, it is clear that invertebrates have the highest number of extinct species (359), followed by vertebrates (338) and then plants (87).

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the category with the maximum extinction of species in the last 500 years, according to the IUCN Red Book, is **invertebrates**.

### Final Answer:
The category with the maximum extinction of species in the last 500 years in the IUCN Red Book is **invertebrates**.

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