Use the image below to answer the question.

Question

The plants are eaten by consumers at the first level, such as a mouse, grasshopper, whiptail, frog, squirrel, and deer. The consumers at the second level, such as ringtail, eagle, and pine marten eat the consumers at the first level. The consumers at the third level, such as wolf, mountain lion, and bobcat eat the consumers at the second level. Some of the consumers at the first level are also eaten by consumers at the third level.



Of the predators in the image, which one is most likely a keystone species?

(1 point)
Responses

pine marten
pine marten

frog
frog

mountain lion
mountain lion

ringtail

Answer 1

The most likely keystone species among the predators in the image is the mountain lion. Keystone species are crucial for maintaining the structure of an ecological community, and apex predators like mountain lions often regulate the populations of other species, which helps maintain balance in the ecosystem.