In rocky Intertidal communities removal of which of the following predator became the cause of extinction of 10 species of invertebrates?

Options

A. Abingdon tortoise
B. Monarch butterfly
C. Pisaster starfish
D. Calotropis

Answer

To solve the question regarding the removal of a predator that led to the extinction of 10 species of invertebrates in rocky intertidal communities, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Context**: The question refers to a specific ecological event in rocky intertidal communities, particularly in Washington, where the removal of a predator caused the extinction of multiple invertebrate species.

2. **Identify the Options**: The options provided are:
- A) Abingdon tortoise
- B) Monarch Butterfly
- C) Pizzastar starfish
- D) Callotropus

3. **Evaluate Each Option**:
- **A) Abingdon tortoise**: This species is not related to the intertidal zone. Its extinction was primarily due to the overgrazing by goats, not related to the rocky intertidal community.
- **B) Monarch Butterfly**: This butterfly is not a predator in the rocky intertidal ecosystem. It uses camouflage to avoid predation but does not impact invertebrate populations in this context.
- **C) Pizzastar starfish**: This starfish is known to be a significant predator in rocky intertidal zones. Its removal can lead to an increase in the population of its prey, which can result in resource depletion and the extinction of other species.
- **D) Callotropus**: This is a plant species and is not relevant to the question about invertebrate predators in the intertidal zone.

4. **Conclusion**: Based on the evaluation, the correct answer is **C) Pizzastar starfish**. The removal of this predator led to the extinction of 10 species of invertebrates due to the imbalance it created in the ecosystem.

### Final Answer:
The removal of the **Pizzastar starfish** became the cause of extinction of 10 species of invertebrates in rocky intertidal communities.

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