Do you want to how domestic rabbits become feral in the wild? Researchers at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) have discovered how natural selection “rewilds” domestic rabbits. Published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, the study addresses how typically tame rabbits, which face many natural predators, can become ecologically destructive when reintroduced to the wild, whether intentionally or accidentally.
| Date | July 12, 2024 |
| Source | Texas A&M University |
| Summary | After analyzing the genomes of nearly 300 rabbits from Europe, South America, and Oceania, researchers discovered that all of them possessed a combination of feral and domestic DNA. This finding was contrary to their expectations. |
If you want to know recent biology news like How domestic rabbits become feral in the wild: Why Fasting is Not Always Good for Your Health, Specific Genomic Changes in the Monkeypox Virus Associated with Their Transmissibility, Better View of Living Bacteria with New Mid-Infrared Nanoscopy.
How Rabbit Done Ecological Damage
Rabbits are notorious for their nuisance in gardens, but the extent of their ecological destruction is often underestimated. Dr. Leif Andersson, a professor in the VMBS’ Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences and at Uppsala University in Sweden, highlights Australia as a prime example.
In 1859, Englishman Thomas Austin released 24 European rabbits on his estate for sport. This led to a rabbit population explosion, causing ongoing environmental damage and significant crop losses each year. Interestingly, rabbits had been introduced to Australia as early as 1788 without such drastic consequences.
Experiment of How domestic rabbits become feral in the wild
| Experiment | Observation | Conclusion |
| Scientists have done sequencing the genomes of nearly 300 rabbits from Europe, South America, and Oceania | Researchers found that all of them had a mix of feral and domestic DNA. | Findings show that these rabbits already had a portion of wild DNA aiding their survival in nature. |
Genetic Mixing of Feral and Domestic DNA
Andersson said “This was not what we had expected to find – we thought feral rabbits were domestic ones that had relearned how to survive in the wild. Instead, our findings indicate that these rabbits already possessed a portion of wild DNA that assisted their survival in nature.”
This genetic insight explains why the 24 rabbits introduced to Australia in 1859 adapted so swiftly to the wild – they already carried the necessary genetic traits for thriving in natural environments.
The Process of Rewilding Domestic Rabbits
- Returning a domesticated species to the wild is not straightforward.
- Domestic rabbits have been bred to be more docile and trusting than their wild counterparts, and often have coat colors like black or white that make them easy targets for predators.
- During the rewilding process, natural selection eliminates many of these domestic traits because they are maladaptive for survival in the wild.
- “It’s not just coat colors that change,” Andersson explained. “Many genetic variants related to behavior, such as tameness, are also removed, reinstating the wild flight instinct essential for evading predators.”
- The rewilding process depends on whether the rabbits already have wild genes in their DNA as a foundation.
Rabbits are Notorious For Their Nuisance in Gardens
Implications of The Study:
- This study will help lawmakers understand the importance of preventing domestic animals from being released into the wild.
- This project has shed light on how rabbits become feral and has implications for other species like pigs and cats.
How domestic rabbits become feral in the wild through a process of natural selection that favors traits aiding survival, has explained in this study. This includes shedding maladaptive domestic traits and reactivating wild instincts, facilitated by the presence of inherent wild DNA within their genomes.
FAQ:
1. What is the scientific name of the domestic rabbit?
The scientific name of the domestic rabbit is Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus and The scientific name of the wild rabbit is Oryctolagus cuniculus
2. How do domestic rabbits differ from their wild counterparts?
Domestic rabbits have been selectively bred for specific traits such as docility, a variety of coat colors, and a calmer temperament. Wild rabbits, on the other hand, are adapted for survival with a stronger flight instinct and camouflage coloring.