Keystone predators can maintain species diversity in a community if they ________.
A) competitively exclude other predators
B) prey on the community's dominant species
C) allow immigration of other predators
D) prey only on the least abundant species in the community

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Keystone predators can maintain species diversity in a community if they prey on the community's dominant species. This is because dominant species can outcompete other species, leading to a loss of diversity. By controlling the abundance of the dominant species, keystone predators allow other species to thrive, increasing diversity. The other choices are not correct because competitive exclusion and preying only on the least abundant species would not necessarily lead to increased diversity, and allowing immigration of other predators would not necessarily have an impact on diversity.

Keystone Predators Can Maintain Species Diversity in a Community If