Top 10 "Keystone Species"
Keystone species are species that, within their own ecosystems, are irreplaceable, or so it is argued. Nothing else within their ecosystem can fill the void if this species were to go extinct. They are considered essential to maintaining the biodiversity of any given ecosystem.If these species are removed from their particular ecosystems, the system would suffer, fail, or quite possibly collapse. Give these species their proper respect, as they are carrying a lot of responsibility.
Keystone species are not necessarily the top predators within a particular ecosystem, but that is often the case, as these species tend to keep prey animal numbers in check and therefore maintain the balance of the entire system. The wonder of nature's self-regulation is personified in these species.
Feel free to add any species you believe to be keystone to their ecosystems.
These guys clearly love to play in their spare time. It's kinda funny to watch them play. So is that their keystone contribution, comedic relief? No, but most would agree that's a nice aside.
Sea otters prey on sea urchins. In turn, sea urchins feed on kelp forests. Left unchecked, sea urchins can decimate kelp forests, and this has a negative impact on many creatures that rely on the kelp for survival. The whole ecosystem suffers or fails. Thanks, sea otters.
The beaver is a primarily nocturnal, large, semiaquatic rodent. Castor includes two extant species, the North American beaver and Eurasian beaver. Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges. Beavers are ecosystem engineers, and their dam building provides still water, which allows a host of other species to flourish.
African elephants are elephants of the genus Loxodonta. The genus consists of two extant species: the African bush elephant, L. africana, and the smaller African forest elephant, L. cyclotis. On the savannahs of Africa, these magnificent creatures graze on small trees. This allows sunlight to reach the grass below. The grasslands flourish and provide an essential food source for a myriad of animals and, in turn, provide cover for predators stalking these herds. Without the elephants (and other tree leaf munchers), the savannah would become a forest or scrublands.
The wolf (Canis lupus), also known as the gray or grey wolf, is a large canine native to Eurasia and North America. Over thirty subspecies of Canis lupus have been recognized, with gray wolves comprising the wild subspecies. As the largest extant member of the Canidae family, the wolf is distinguished... read more Wired to take out the weak, sick, young, and elderly, it's commonly known that these predators actually help ensure the overall health of their prey species. Apex predators tend to keep the balance in their ecosystems through this behavior.
Now, it's true this branch of predators is the bane of farmers of livestock in their ecosystem, as they do indeed take the easy meal sometimes provided by this interaction. To that point, I would simply say that it is us who have encroached on their ecosystem, and not the other way around.
The jaguar (Panthera onca) is a large cat species and the only living member of the genus Panthera native to the Americas. With a body length of up to 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) and a weight of up to 158 kg (348 lb), it is the largest cat species in the Americas and the third largest in the world. Its distinctively... read more Another apex predator. In the rainforests of Central and South America, they prey on a wide variety of species (87) and keep those prey animal numbers in check.
The American Alligator digs burrows in the sand that provide them with warmth. When they leave, the burrow provides many species with a new home. The alligators are also an apex predator and keep prey animal numbers in check.
Hummingbirds are birds from the Americas that constitute the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring 7.5–13 cm. they are the cutest birds in the world Pollinators.
Pollinators. The plants flourish and provide shelter and food for insects, and they, in turn, become food for other creatures, including birds.
The bee/plant relationship is also highly symbiotic, mutually assured existence.
The bee population is sadly in decline, mostly due to all the chemicals we humans use in our fields.
Starfish or sea stars are star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class Asteroidea. Common usage frequently finds these names being also applied to ophiuroids, which are correctly referred to as brittle stars or "basket stars". Starfish eat mussels, which have no other natural predators. Without the starfish, the mussels would overwhelm their particular ecosystem, and many other species would suffer or die off.
In areas where boating in freshwater lakes is popular, it's important that boaters check their watercraft for these mussels before and after each launch. The mussels attach and spread to other bodies of water. The result is devastating, as there are no starfish to prey on the mussels. Mussels are often an invasive species.
The Newcomers
Dragonflies are amazing and beneficial insects, as they eat mosquitoes, flies, and many other types of bothersome insects. They generally do not live long as adults, but can eat anywhere from 30 to 100 mosquitoes per day. They are tremendous and relentless hunters. Once they lock in on their tiny intended prey, it's over.
Dragonflies can see in 360° and can fly at speeds of up to 35 mph.
The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), also known as the white fox, polar fox, or snow fox, is a small fox native to the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and common throughout the Arctic tundra biome. It is well adapted to living in cold environments, and is best known for its thick, warm fur that... read more
The Orca, or Killer Whale (Orcinus orca), is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. It is recognizable by its black-and-white patterned body. Orcas are a cosmopolitan species and can be found in all of the world's oceans, in a variety of marine environments,... read more Yes, as apex predators, these guys provide balance to the population of prey species within their ecosystems. Thanks for adding.
Beautiful and intelligent creatures. Consider yourself lucky if you spot one while kayaking!
Anacondas are group of large snakes of the genus Eunectes. They are large snakes found in tropical South America.
Native to the forests and grasslands of South and Southeast Asia, the Asian Elephant is one of the largest land mammals. Unlike their African counterparts, they have smaller ears and only the males generally have tusks. They are highly social animals, often living in matriarchal herds.
This tortoise digs large burrows, which provide shelter for over 350 species.
Thanks, bud.
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large cat and native to Africa and central Iran. It is the fastest land animal, estimated to be capable of running at 80 to 128 km/h (50 to 80 mph) with the fastest reliably recorded speeds being 93 and 98 km/h (58 and 61 mph), and as such has several adaptations... read more
The tiger shark is a species of requiem shark and the only extant member of the genus Galeocerdo. It is a large macropredator, capable of attaining a length over 5 m. Populations are found in many tropical and temperate waters, especially around central Pacific islands. They'll eat almost anything, including sea turtles and dugongs in the Western Australian seagrass beds. Take them out of that ecosystem and the seagrass gets overgrazed. Fish lay their eggs in the seagrass. More sea turtles and dugongs mean fewer fish and less prey for other species.
Despite the name, they are not canines. Prairie dogs (genus Cynomys) are herbivorous burrowing rodents native to the grasslands of North America. The five species are: black-tailed, white-tailed, Gunnison's, Utah, and Mexican prairie dogs. They are a type of ground squirrel, found in the United States,... read more
The salmon die after spawning and provide a feast for many other creatures, including bears and eagles.
Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 60 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just 14 species can be found - 2 in North America, 9 in Central... read more Thanks for adding.
Anteater is a common name for the four extant mammal species of the suborder Vermilingua commonly known for eating ants and termites.
The cougar, also commonly known as the mountain lion, puma, panther, or catamount, is a large felid of the subfamily Felinae native to the Americas.