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: These are species that naturally occur in an area. The cane toad was introduced by farmers, so it's not native.
• Invasive species: These are non - native species that are introduced to an ecosystem, multiply, and cause harm or disrupt the ecosystem. The cane toad was introduced to Hawaii (not native), had few predators, and its population thrived, fitting the invasive species definition.
• Reintroduced species: These are species that were native, became extinct in the area, and then are brought back. The cane toad was never native to Hawaii, so this is incorrect.
• Endangered species: These are species at risk of extinction. The cane toad population is thriving, so it's not endangered.

Answer:

B. invasive species