Use the image to answer the question below.
The plants are eaten by consumers at the first level, such as rat, grasshopper, frog, squirrel, whiptail, 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 cat eat the consumers at the second level. Some of the consumers at the first level are also eaten by consumers at the third level.
Which one of the following animals is most likely to be a keystone species, based on the food web provided?
(1 point)
Responses
grasshopper
grasshopper
Mouse
Mouse
frog
frog
deer
deer
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deer
Deer are likely to be a keystone species in this food web because they are at the first level of consumers and are an important food source for consumers at the second and third levels. Their population and behavior have a significant impact on the overall balance of the ecosystem.