Pisaster Ochraceus,the Common Pacific Northwest Sea Star,is Contending with an Apparently

question 50

Multiple Choice

Pisaster ochraceus,the common Pacific Northwest sea star,is contending with an apparently new disease termed sea star wasting syndrome,which threatens this species with possible extinction.What community changes can be expected if the sea star population is reduced to low levels or disappears entirely?

• A) The various sea star predators, such as the California mussel, will experience population declines proportional to the loss of prey; eventually, the diversity of the community will decline.
• B) Other mussel predators, currently suppressed by exploitation competition, will increase; the diversity of the community will remain about the same.
• C) Algae and other photosynthesizers will use the vacant space left by the sea stars and increase the food resources; the diversity of the community will increase.
• D) Mussels will increase and compete with other community members for space; eventually, the diversity of the community will decline.

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