As we prepare for this year's event -- and all the looks inspired by the theme, Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology -- look back on 18 of the most outrageous fashion choices that would only happen at the Met Gala.
Biome: Southern Swamps. Classification: Reptiles. Biography: American alligators are important members of their ecosystem, and are regarded as keystone species. Many animals are affected by their existence. Young alligators are prey for wading birds, turtles, snakes, mammals, and larger alligators.Alligators over 4' are at the top of their food chain.As top predators, they are important in controlling prey numbers.any animals are affected by their existence. Young alligators are prey for wading birds, turtles, snakes, mammals, and larger alligators. Alligators over 4' are at the top of their food chain. As top predators, they are important in controlling prey numbers.
There are a number of other well-described examples where keystone species act as determinate predators. Sea otters (i) regulate sea urchin populations, which in turn feed upon kelp and other macroalgae (Duggins 1980). The otters keep the sea urchin populations in check, thus allowing enough kelp forests to remain as a habitat for a variety of other species. As a result, the entire ecosystem is kept in balance. In terrestrial environments, fire ants function as keystone predators by suppressing the numbers of individuals and species of arthropods that could be harmful to agriculture.