Final answer:
The introduction of a mountain lion with a diet focused on snakes into an ecosystem could alter prey populations and disrupt ecological balance, potentially leading to an increase in species previously controlled by snakes.
Step-by-step explanation:
A mountain lion with an affinity for eating snakes has moved into an ecosystem. A possible outcome of this disturbance would be changes in the population dynamics within that ecosystem. Predation by carnivores like mountain lions can significantly alter prey population abundance and distribution. As seen in previous cases, such as with the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone, predator presence can lead to notable changes in prey behavior and the broader ecological community.
For instance, in Pacific islands such as Guam, the introduction of the brown tree snake resulted in the extinction of various bird species. Similarly, in various ecosystems, the decrease in apex predators like sharks, lions, and wolves due to human activities has led to disruptions. In the case of Utah, fewer cougars resulted in a deer population explosion, which had subsequent effects on vegetation and stream paths. If the mountain lion preys extensively on snakes, there could be an increase in the population of animals that the snakes formerly controlled, potentially leading to an imbalance in the ecosystem. This effect is an example of top-down regulation, where the presence or absence of a top predator can cause cascading effects throughout an ecosystem.