Which is most likely a keystone species?(1 point)

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Responses

cane toads in Australia, which were introduced to eat cane beetles, but eat anything and survive in various habitats
cane toads in Australia, which were introduced to eat cane beetles, but eat anything and survive in various habitats

feral cats, which hunt a wide variety of animals, including birds, lizards, rodents, and insects
feral cats, which hunt a wide variety of animals, including birds, lizards, rodents, and insects

wolves in Yellowstone National Park, which eat elk, who graze on willows, on which beavers depend to build their dams
wolves in Yellowstone National Park, which eat elk, who graze on willows, on which beavers depend to build their dams

deer, which eat a variety of plants, including shrubs and young trees, and are consumed by large predators like mountain lions, wolves, and bears
deer, which eat a variety of plants, including shrubs and young trees, and are consumed by large predators like mountain lions, wolves, and bears
Remaining Attempts : 3
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Answer 1

The most likely keystone species among the options provided is wolves in Yellowstone National Park, which eat elk, who graze on willows, on which beavers depend to build their dams.

Keystone species are those that have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem relative to their abundance. The presence of wolves helps regulate the elk population, which in turn allows vegetation such as willows to thrive. This has cascading effects on other species, including beavers, which depend on those willows to construct their dams. This interconnectedness illustrates the critical role that wolves play in maintaining the ecological balance of their environment.