Question

the cane toad, or rhinella marina, was introduced to the hawaiian islands in 1932 by sugar cane farmers. the farmers released the toads in their crops to help control pests that were damaging the sugar cane. the cane toad has few natural predators because it secretes a poisonous toxin that kills the animals that consume it. as a result, the cane toad population thrived, and by 1935, it numbered hundreds of thousands. which role does the cane toad play in the hawaiian islands?

native species
invasive species
reintroduced species
endangered species

Explanation:

To determine the role of the cane toad, we analyze each option:

• Native species: Cane toads were introduced, not native to Hawaii. Eliminate.
• Invasive species: Introduced to a new area, has few predators, and thrived (population grew rapidly), which fits the definition of an invasive species (non - native species that spreads and harms the ecosystem).
• Reintroduced species: There's no indication it was native and then reintroduced. Eliminate.
• Endangered species: The population thrived, so it's not endangered. Eliminate.

Answer:

B. invasive species