During a recent hurricane, 25 individuals of the same butterfly species were blown onto a barrier island in southern Florida. Pr
ior to this event, this species did not inhabit the island, but with the ample vegetation on the island and a lack of predators, the displaced individuals were able to survive and reproduce. When the butterflies initially arrived on the island, they did not have to compete for food or space. What type of population growth did they likely exhibit
The main requirement for the population of a species to grow is food. When there is food, a organisms that are born will be able to live longer because food will be able to sustain them.
This is what happened with humans during the Neolithic Revolution when we began farming.
The general trend is that the more food that is available, the higher the population growth. When these butterflies arrived and found no competition for food, their population would increase in the highest way possible which is exponentially because there would be plenty of food to go around.
Without any competition for food or space, the butterfly species likely experienced exponential growth.
The lack of competition would have allowed the population to flourish, as they would have excess amounts of resources, food, space, and other limiting factors.
So, they most likely exhibited exponential growth.
