Question

Keystone predators can maintain species diversity in a community if they

Answer 1

Answer:

The options are given below:

A) competitively exclude other predators.

B) prey on the community's dominant species.

C) allow immigration of other predators.

D) reduce the number of disruptions in the community.

E) prey only on the least abundant species in the community.

the correct option is B

Explanation:

Keystone species refers to a predator which prevents a particular herbivorous species from wiping out the dominant plant species. If the number of prey are low, the keystone predators can be less abundant and still be effective. Keystone species have a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

Therefore, by preying on a community's dominant species, keystone predators help to maintain the species diversity in the community, because they ensure that the dominant predators do not totally wipe out the various organisms present in the ecosystem.