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

frog
frog

pine marten
pine marten

mountain lion
mountain lion

ringtail

Answer 1

The most likely keystone species among the predators listed in the image is the mountain lion.

Keystone species are defined as those that have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance. Mountain lions, as apex predators, help regulate populations of herbivores and smaller predators, thereby maintaining the ecological balance. This makes them a critical component of their ecosystem.