Question

How does industrial melanism support Darwin’s theory of natural selection?

Answer 1

Industrial melanism is a conversion where the moths living in the industrial areas formed melanin pigment to conceal themselves from their predators. Melanism occurs due to alternations of the extended gene causing a difference in MC1R.

Complete answer:
To answer this question, we have to know about industrial melanism. Industrial melanism is a developmental effect important in many arthropods, in which dark coloration has developed in an ecosystem influenced by industrial pollution, involving sulphur dioxide gas and dark ash deposits.
Industrial melanism indicates the effect of industrial pollution on the population of moths.

Before industrialization, the numbers of the white colored moth on a tree were more than the dark colored moths. The less pigmented lichen used to grow on trees and therefore moth predators could not spot white moths easily , so dark moths were lesser in population. But because of industrial pollution, lichens could not develop on trees and then it became tough to recognize dense moths on the dense background of stem and so, the population of white moths became smaller than that of dark moths. This process is termed industrial melanism.

So, before industrialization, white moths were better adapted towards nature but after industrialization, dark colored moths were more fit towards the changed environmental conditions. This assisted Darwin's theory of natural selection as the natural condition changes, the organism which is more fit for the environment survives better than the others.

Note: Industrial melanism, the darkness of the feathers, skin obtained by inhabitants of animals living in an industrial area where the environment is ash-darkened. The melanization of inhabitants raises the prospect that its individuals will survive and reproduce; it occurs over the period of many generations as the outcome of natural selection of the lighter, more conspicuous animals by predators.