Which animal has the least significant ecological role?

Question

I have noticed that many people have problems with certain animals and the roles that they play in nature.
I find that certain animals dont have the most important ecological role. In my opinion I find that animals like primates don't really contribute much ecologically speaking.

Which critters to you think are the least important and why?

Best answer gets 10pts!

Okay let's exclude humans for this question, because I agree completely with all of the human answers so far. No doubt we are the worst plague on the natural world, but Im looking for wild animals...
sorry, should have mentioned that earlier!

Answer 1

I would have to say that while it is hard for me to say any creature is unimportant, there is one that we could surely do without and not notice a significant difference... Tent Caterpillars!!
every couple of years we are plagued by these "army worms" in the thousands... nothing eats them no bird, no mammal, only a certain fly kills them by laying its eggs on them and we dont have those flies here!! They eat every leaf from every tree and make it look like winter again often killing trees and reducing the foilage that has to grow back, our trees are often sparse after having to put out so much energy and grow another set of leaves. Now I do have to admit that once they turn into moths they probably provide a bonanza to insect eating creatures, but they do without it for years between thier peak cycle so it would not have much of an effect in the long run. I think tent caterpillars are the least important because they do not provide a significant constant food source to any creature and there is no single other creature that depends upon them for survival. Also because all they do is kill trees which already get enough pressure from logging and many other tree eating creatures, and sad to say caterpillars really give me the creeps (although I like observing them and think they are neat) and when the tent caterpillar population is high I hate going outside...ewww they always manage to get on me somehow and it freaks me out! I dont like them on me or all around me, it really ruins my day LOL.. not that I kill them because of it but I just dont like them!

PS you always have really good questions that make me think!

Answer 2

I think human beings really don't contribute much 2 ecology all they do is spoil it and pollute the nature and try to change the nature according to his convenient

Answer 3

Hehe, I was thinking human as well, but since you added that...

All animals that live in caves thaat do not go anywhere, like blind cave fish. They don't seem to affect the rest of the world too much...

Answer 4

Human being has the least ecological role.He is not adjusting nature.He adapts to nature.

Answer 5

I think humans yes us why because we cause pollution and we are taking over thier home with houses

Answer 6

mosquitoes!