Industrial melanism provides a good example of natural selection. Discuss.
Industrial melanism provides a good example of natural selection. Discuss.
The peppered moth (Biston betularia) occurs in two forms-pale colour moth and black colour moth. Before the industrial revolution occurs that is when pollution is less, the pale colour moth were common as they were not easily identified among the light coloured lichens growing on the trees. But after industries were set-up, which killed off the lichens and blackened the trees with soot. On this dark background, the pale moths were no longer well-camouflaged and were easily caught by birds so black colour moth survives and becomes common. This is an example of natural selection. As the environment selects the black colour moth so their number increases and nature favours their survival.
The peppered moth (Biston betularia) occurs in two forms-pale colour moth and black colour moth. Before the industrial revolution occurs that is when pollution is less, the pale colour moth were common as they were not easily identified among the light coloured lichens growing on the trees. But after industries were set-up, which killed off the lichens and blackened the trees with soot. On this dark background, the pale moths were no longer well-camouflaged and were easily caught by birds so black colour moth survives and becomes common. This is an example of natural selection. As the environment selects the black colour moth so their number increases and nature favours their survival.
