Question

Predators that are keystone species can maintain species diversity in a community if they

(A) competitively exclude other predators.

(B) prey on the community’s dominant species.

(C) reduce the number of disruptions in the community.

(D) prey only on the least abundant species in the community.

Short answer

1. The statement “competitively exclude other predators” isfalse.

2. The statement “prey on the community’s dominant species” istrue.

3. The statement “reduce the number of disruptions in the community” is false.

4. The statement “prey only on the least abundant species in the community” is false.

Step-by-step solution

Predator

The species recognized as the keystone species and keeping the prey population in balance are called predators like gray wolves and beavers.

Explanation of option ‘(A)’

The varieties of roles performed by the predator in an ecosystem are maintaining ecosystem structure, decreasing competitive exclusion, and energy transfer at the trophic levels.

Thus, the species amount will be reduced by excluding predators by competition.

Therefore, the given statement is false.

Explanation of option ‘(B)’

The field of ecology defines prey as an animal that predators hunt or kill to eat all parts of its body as food.

Thus, the dominating species will be more and compete with other species.

Therefore, the given statement is true.

Explanation of option ‘(C)’

Some examples of biological disturbances are insect outbreaks, storms, trampling, and flooding.

Thus, there will be no effect of keystone species on the disruption in the community.

Therefore, the given statement is false.

Explanation of option ‘(D)’

Examples of predator-prey include fox-rabbit, bear-salmon, and lion-zebra.

Thus, biodiversity will not be increasing while preying on the least abundant species.

Therefore, the given statement is false.