Question

A few rabbits are introduced to an uninhabited island with plenty of food. If these rabbits
breed in the absence of any diseases, natural calamity, and predation, which one of the following graphs best represents their population growth.
A.

B.

C.

D.

Answer 1

Hint: The rabbits have been used extensively in a variety of biomedical research disciplines. The need for consistent research subjects has led to an understanding of the basic biology and the special needs of the rabbits.

Complete answer: The rabbits are introduced to the un-habituated island with the food resource. In the absence of disease, natural calamity, and predation, the growth of the rabbits by interbreeding will be exponential in nature. There will be a log phase followed by a plateau that will attain stability as there are no other sources affecting the population of rabbits.

Therefore, the correct answer is option B.

Additional information:The terms “rabbit” is often misused when referring to the common names or the breeds of rabbits. The animals classified in the genus Lepus are the only true rabbits.
There are several genera that contain rabbits. Oryctolagus cuniculus is the only domesticated rabbit, and consequently the only species from which unique breeds of rabbits are derived. Many breeds have been developed simply by selective breeding of O. cuniculus for the different physical characteristics. Currently, there are forty plus breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. One of the most common research uses of rabbits is in the production of the polyclonal antibodies. The relatively large body size and the blood volume, easy access to the vascular system, and an existent large body of information on the purification of rabbit immunoglobulins are a few reasons that the rabbit is preferred over other the common laboratory animal species for the polyclonal antibody production.

Note: It is ironic that while the effort is given to promote the health of domestic rabbits, the feral populations have the ability to explode to plague proportions in the areas of the world where the natural predators and the diseases are limited.