Uncovering the Mystery of How Natural Selection “Rewilds” Domestic Rabbits

Introduction

Rabbits are cute little creatures that make great pets. However, what happens when they are purposely or accidentally reintroduced into the wild? The answer to this question lies in a recent study conducted by Researchers at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS).

The Study

The study, which was published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, reveals how domestic rabbits can become a force of ecological destruction when reintroduced into the wild. Andersson, a professor in the VMBS’ Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences and a professor at Uppsala University in Sweden, and his team sequenced the genomes of nearly 300 rabbits from Europe, South America, and Oceania. They found that all of them had a mix of feral and domestic DNA in their genetic makeup. This comes as a surprise since they expected that feral rabbits were domestic rabbits that have somehow relearned how to live in the wild.

The Australian Disaster

The classic example of the ecological destruction that rabbits can cause is Australia. In 1859, an Englishman named Thomas Austin released 24 European rabbits onto his estate as game animals. The population of rabbits exploded, causing an infestation that continues to cause millions of dollars’ worth of crop damage each year. Interestingly, rabbits were already introduced to Australia in 1788. Andersson’s study explains why the 24 rabbits introduced to the Australian landscape in 1859 were so quick to adapt to living in the wild.

The Rewilding Process

Returning a species to the wild after centuries of domestication is not a simple process. Domestic rabbits have been bred by humans to be more docile and trusting than their wild counterparts. They are often bred to have certain coat colors that humans find attractive, like all-black or all-white coats. However, these colors make them easier for predators to spot in the wild. During the rewilding process, natural selection removes many of these domestic traits because they are maladaptive or unhelpful for survival in the wild. Many of the genetic variants removed during natural selection are related to behavior, like tameness. This brings back the wild flight instinct that is important for eluding predators.

The Importance of Preventing Domestic Animals from Being Released into the Wild

The entire process depends on whether the rabbits already have wild genes in their DNA as a sort of foundation for the rewilding process. This study will help lawmakers understand the importance of preventing domestic animals from being released into the wild. This project has helped us understand not only how rabbits become feral but also how other species like pigs and cats can become feral nuisances.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study sheds light on the complicated process of rewilding domestic rabbits. It also shows the importance of understanding natural selection and genetics in adapting to different environments. Rewilding is not just about coat colors and physical traits, but it’s also about behavioral changes that are crucial for survival in the wild.

Originally Post From https://today.tamu.edu/2024/07/12/how-domestic-rabbits-become-feral-in-the-wild/

How Domestic Rabbits Become Feral In The Wild – Texas A&M Today