Question

In the late 1960s, Robert Paine conducted landmark studies on diversity in the rocky intertidal zone, comparing the species diversity in control plots with diversity in experimental plots, from which he removed sea stars, the top predator. After 5 years, 15 species of intertidal invertebrates lived in the control plots, while the experimental plots were dominated by only two species, a mussel and a barnacle.

In the last few years, a disease has emerged that is decimating the sea star population. What do you predict to be the effect of this disease on the community? State the effect and explain your reasoning.

(If you find this question difficult, consider drawing the experimental design & results and/or an interaction web.)

Answer 1