In a tide pool, 15 species of invertebrates were reduced to 8 after one species was removed. The species removed was likely a(n) ________.
A) pathogen
B) keystone species
C) herbivore
D) resource partitioner
E) mutualistic organism

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A keystone species has a disproportionate effect on their ecosystem compared to their abundance. Removing a keystone species often leads to a domino effect causing a decrease in species diversity and a disruption in the ecological balance. The fact that 15 species were reduced to 8 after the removal of one species suggests that the removed species was a keystone species.

In a Tide Pool, 15 Species of Invertebrates Were Reduced