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2017 Nov. Pub. Lecture—Sea Otters: Confessions of a Keystone Carnivore

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Detailed Description

  • Sea otters are perhaps the best-known example of a "keystone predator".
  • Sea otter behavior -- in particular diet specialization and limited mobility -- can mediate their effects on ecosystem dynamics.
  • Other predators, especially large sea stars, can complement and reinforce the keystone role of sea otters: this became apparent with the loss of all sea stars from wasting disease.

Details

Length:
01:33:20

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.