Purple sea stars are found in the pacific ocean. they prey on common mussels, suppressing the mussel population in the intertidal zone of the pacific northwest. by controlling the mussel population, sea stars enable the ecosystem to support other invertebrates. experimental data suggests that purple sea stars are a keystone species in the intertidal zone of the pacific northwest. what will most likely happen to this ecosystem if the purple sea star is permanently removed?
a. invertebrates in the area will undergo rapid speciation.
b. vertebrates in the area will assume the role of preying on mussels.
c. mussels will dominate the area, causing a net decrease in biodiversity.
d. other starfish will migrate to the area and establish themselves in the purple sea star's place.