Question

Industrial melanism is an example of:

• A. Neo Lamarckism
• B. Neo Darwinism
• C. Natural selection
• D. Mutation

Answer 1

The correct option is C Natural selection

Industrial melanism is an example of natural selection. Industrial melanism is an adaptation where the moths living in the industrial areas developed melanin pigments to match their body to the soot-covered surroundings. These melanic forms are mainly distributed in and around large industrial cities, where the environment has been altered by the pollution of the atmosphere; and is manifested by the appearance of the dark colour of the lichen covered tree trunks, on which the moths rest during the day time. The peppered moth exists in 2 strains: light and dark. In the past, the bark of the trees was covered by the whitish lichens, so white moths escaped unnoticed from predatory birds. After industrialization barks got covered by smoke, so the white moths were selectively picked up by birds. But the black moths escape unnoticed so they managed to survive in more population of black moths and less population of white moths.