Question

In the case of peppered moth (Biston betularia) the black-coloured form became dominant over the light-coloured form in England during industrial revolution. This is an example of

• A. appearance of the darker coloured individuals due to very poor sunlight
• B. protective mimicry
• C. inheritance of darker colour character acquired due to the darker environment
• D. natural selection whereby the darker forms were selected

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

natural selection whereby the darker forms were selected

Answer 2

During post industrialisation period, the tree trunk became dark due to industrial smoke and spots.

• White-winged moths didn't survive because of the predators.
• Dark-winged moths survived as against a dark background they were not easily seen by predators.
• Thus industrial melanism supports evolution by natural selection that favours the establishment of one particular advantageous mutation within a population.

In the case of the peppered moth (Biston betularia) the black-coloured form became dominant over the light-coloured form in England during the industrial revolution. This is therefore an example ofnatural selectionwhereby the darker forms were selected.