Reading Comprehension

While the most abundant and dominant species within a particular ecosystem is often crucial in perpetuating the ecosystem, a "keystone" species, here defined as one whose effects are much larger than would be predicted from its abundance, can also play a vital role. But because complex species interactions may be involved, identifying a keystone species by removing the species and observing changes in the ecosystem is problematic. It might seem that certain traits would clearly define a species as a keystone species; for example, Pisaster ochraceus is often a keystone predator because it consumes and suppresses mussel populations, which in the absence of this starfish can be a dominant species. But such predation on a dominant or potentially dominant species occurs in systems that do as well as in systems that do not have species that play keystone roles. Moreover, whereas P.ochraceus occupies an unambiguous keystone role on wave-exposed rocky headlands, in more wave-sheltered habitats the impact of P. ochraceus predation is weak or nonexistent, and at certain sites sand burial is responsible for eliminating mussels. Keystone status appears to depend on context, whether of particular geography or of such factors as community diversity (for example, a reduction in species diversity may thrust more of the remaining species into keystone roles) and length of species interaction (since newly arrived species in particular may dramatically affect ecosystems).

QN: The passage mentions which of the following as a factor that affects the role of P. ochraceus as a keystone species within different habitats?
A. The degree to which the habitat is sheltered from waves
B. The degree to which other animals within a habitat prey on mussels
C. The fact that mussel populations are often not dominant within some habitats occupied by P. ochraceus
D. The size of the P. ochraceus population within the habitat
E. The fact that there is great species diversity within some habitats occupied by P. ochraceus

I chose E
My approach-> I looked into below sentence to find out the factor that affects the role of above mentioned species, as i could remember passage summarized various factors that determines whether that species is keystone or not.

"Keystone status appears to depend on context, whether of particular geography or of such factors as community diversity (for example, a reduction in species diversity may thrust more of the remaining species into keystone roles) and length of species interaction (since newly arrived species in particular may dramatically affect ecosystems)."

Can someone please tell me where my understanding went wrong?
Also what are the clues to go to the correct ans A directly without wasting time as i did above.

buoyant wrote:While the most abundant and dominant species within a particular ecosystem is often crucial in perpetuating the ecosystem, a "keystone" species, here defined as one whose effects are much larger than would be predicted from its abundance, can also play a vital role. But because complex species interactions may be involved, identifying a keystone species by removing the species and observing changes in the ecosystem is problematic. It might seem that certain traits would clearly define a species as a keystone species; for example, Pisaster ochraceus is often a keystone predator because it consumes and suppresses mussel populations, which in the absence of this starfish can be a dominant species. But such predation on a dominant or potentially dominant species occurs in systems that do as well as in systems that do not have species that play keystone roles. Moreover, whereas P.ochraceus occupies an unambiguous keystone role on wave-exposed rocky headlands, in more wave-sheltered habitats the impact of P. ochraceus predation is weak or nonexistent, and at certain sites sand burial is responsible for eliminating mussels. Keystone status appears to depend on context, whether of particular geography or of such factors as community diversity (for example, a reduction in species diversity may thrust more of the remaining species into keystone roles) and length of species interaction (since newly arrived species in particular may dramatically affect ecosystems).

QN: The passage mentions which of the following as a factor that affects the role of P. ochraceus as a keystone species within different habitats?
A. The degree to which the habitat is sheltered from waves
B. The degree to which other animals within a habitat prey on mussels
C. The fact that mussel populations are often not dominant within some habitats occupied by P. ochraceus
D. The size of the P. ochraceus population within the habitat
E. The fact that there is great species diversity within some habitats occupied by P. ochraceus

I chose E
My approach-> I looked into below sentence to find out the factor that affects the role of above mentioned species, as i could remember passage summarized various factors that determines whether that species is keystone or not.

"Keystone status appears to depend on context, whether of particular geography or of such factors as community diversity (for example, a reduction in species diversity may thrust more of the remaining species into keystone roles) and length of species interaction (since newly arrived species in particular may dramatically affect ecosystems)."

Can someone please tell me where my understanding went wrong?
Also what are the clues to go to the correct ans A directly without wasting time as i did above.

Ok here it is. See the passage here "It might seem that certain traits would clearly define a species as a keystone species; for example, Pisaster ochraceus is often a keystone predator because it consumes and suppresses mussel populations, which in the absence of this starfish can be a dominant species. But such predation on a dominant or potentially dominant species occurs in systems that do as well as in systems that do not have species that play keystone roles. Moreover, whereas P.ochraceus occupies an unambiguous keystone role on wave-exposed rocky headlands, in more wave-sheltered habitats the impact of P. ochraceus predation is weak or nonexistent, and at certain sites sand burial is responsible for eliminating mussels"

The bold face part tells us exactly what we need. the question is about the keystone position of the P.ochraceus "and not in general about keystone species" per se.

For RC you have to read the passage, then the question.Understand the question, whether it is specific or general and then try to identify the lines or area in the passage that mentions this.

There is no structured way of answering/preparing for RC, it depends on the individual, but practice is utmost important.

All the best