The species having greater influence on community characters in spite of being low numbers and biomass are called Keystone species.

The keystone species concept was put forward Robert T Paine to explain the relationship between Pisaster ochraceus (Starfish) and Mytilus californianus (Mussel).

Example of Keystone Species:
  • Fig trees in a tropical rain forest support moneys, bats and birds. Any removal of these tress will adversely affect the animal population.
  • Sea Otters are a keystone species of the kelp forest ecosystem. Kelp is home to hundreds of species like crabs, snails, sea urchins and geese etc that depend on kelp for food.

  • Beavers, the mammalian architect construct dams and transforming streams into ponds, create new habitats for many plants and animal species.
  • The flying fox is a key stone specie on tropical islands.It pollinates many of the plants, and is a key disperser of seeds.

  • The prairie dog is a keystone species of the prairie ecosystem. They contribute to the lives of the other mammals by providing habitat and food.
  • African elephants are the keystone species that maintain the entire savannah ecosystem. Elephants eat acacia and even if an acacia tree grows to a height of several feet, elephants are able to knock over the tree and uproot it.



  • Some species of humming bird are keystone species in the Sonoran Desert of North America. Hummingbirds pollinate many varieties of native cactus and other plants.
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