Which of the following statements is not true

Options

A. Biodiversity decreases with increasing latitude
B. Biodiversity decreases with increasing attitude
C. Fishes show greatest diversity among vertebrates
D. Biodiversity of bryophytes is greater than that of angiosperms.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Biodiversity**: Begin by defining biodiversity, which refers to the variety and variability of all types of life on Earth, including microbes, plants, and animals.

2. **Evaluating the First Statement**: The first statement claims that biodiversity decreases with increasing latitude. This is true because biodiversity is generally higher in tropical regions (low latitude) compared to temperate regions (high latitude).

3. **Evaluating the Second Statement**: The second statement suggests that biodiversity decreases with increasing altitude. This is also true, as higher altitudes tend to have lower species richness due to harsher environmental conditions.

4. **Evaluating the Third Statement**: The third statement states that fishes show the greatest diversity among vertebrates. This is true, as bony fishes (Osteichthyes) are indeed the most diverse group of vertebrates, with around 29,000 living species.

5. **Evaluating the Fourth Statement**: The fourth statement claims that the biodiversity of bryophytes is greater than that of angiosperms. This is false because angiosperms (flowering plants) are the largest and most diverse group of plants, with approximately 300,000 living species, significantly outnumbering bryophytes.

6. **Conclusion**: After evaluating all statements, the one that is not true is the last statement regarding bryophytes and angiosperms.

**Final Answer**: The statement that is not true is: "The biodiversity of bryophytes is greater than that of angiosperms."

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