Elephants are not the most dominant species in African grasslands, yet they influence community structure. The grasslands contain scattered woody plants, but they are kept in check by the uprooting activities of the elephants. Take away the elephants, and the grasslands convert to forests or to shrublands. The newly growing forests support fewer species than the previous grasslands. Which of the following describes why elephants are the keystone species in this scenario?
A) Essentially all of the other species depend on the presence of the elephants to maintain the community.
B) Grazing animals depend upon the elephants to convert forests to grassland.
C) Elephants prevent drought in African grasslands.
D) Elephants are the biggest herbivore in this community.
E) Elephants help other populations survive by keeping out many of the large African predators.
Two species of granivorous rodents living in the Chihuahuan Desert: (a) the kangaroo rat, Dipodomys
Invasive species in Canada include (a) zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha, (b) sea lamprey, Petromy
The Dugong is an endangered species; the largest remaining population is found in Australian waters
Skin of an African (left) and Asian (right) elephant.
Ant species richness by latitude.