In Jane Lubchenco's tidepool system, removal of the herbivorous snail Littorina led to
A) dominance of the tidepools by the unpalatable alga Chondrus.
B) replacement of Chondrus by the more palatable alga Enteromorpha.
C) replacement of Chondrus by other algae better adapted to herbivory.
D) replacement of Enteromorpha by other algae that are better competitors.
E) no marked change in the algal community.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the herbivorous snail Littorina was removed from Jane Lubchenco's tidepool system, the more palatable alga Enteromorpha replaced the unpalatable alga Chondrus. This is because Littorina normally feeds on Enteromorpha, keeping its population in check. Without Littorina, Enteromorpha was able to outcompete Chondrus.

In Jane Lubchenco's Tidepool System, Removal of the Herbivorous Snail