Choose the Characteristic Associated with a Top Predator Who Is

Question

Choose the characteristic associated with a top predator who is also a keystone species.
A) the largest animal in the community
B) the fastest animal in the community
C) a species that can easily cause extinction of the community
D) a species whose loss may alter diversity within the community

Accepted Answer

A keystone species is a species whose presence in a community has a greater impact on the community than its abundance would suggest. If a top predator is also a keystone species, its loss could result in significant alterations to the diversity within the community, making choice D the best option. While a top predator may also be the largest or fastest animal in the community, these characteristics are not necessarily associated with being a keystone species. Similarly, while a top predator may have the ability to cause extinction within the community, this is not a characteristic specific to being a keystone species.