Hui  Liu , Shiqiang  Huang

Tropical Animal Resources Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya 572025, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Super Species Research, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 1   
Received: 21 Dec., 2024    Accepted: 30 Jan., 2024    Published: 27 Feb., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) plays a pivotal role as a keystone species in wetland ecosystems, particularly in the southeastern United States. This paper explores the diverse ecological impacts of the American alligator, highlighting its functions as both an apex predator and an ecosystem engineer. By creating alligator holes and regulating prey populations, the alligator enhances habitat heterogeneity, promotes biodiversity, and contributes to nutrient cycling within wetland environments. These activities are crucial for maintaining the health, stability, and resilience of wetlands, making the conservation of the American alligator integral to broader ecosystem management efforts. Additionally, this study reviews the historical and current threats to alligator populations, the implications of declining alligator numbers on wetland ecosystems, and the global significance of keystone reptiles in wetland conservation. The findings underscore the need for continued research, public awareness, and effective conservation strategies to ensure the long-term preservation of these critical ecosystems.

American alligator; Keystone species; Wetland ecosystems; Ecosystem engineer; Biodiversity conservation