Biology

Katelyn Short

11 March, 21:36

Prior to the industrial revolution in England the peppered moth had light

coloration and lived on trees covered with light colored lichen. This

provided camouflage against predatory birds. There were a few dark

individuals in the population, but they were usually eaten by birds.

However, once the industrial revolution began the light-colored lichens

covering the trees were killed by sulfur dioxide emissions from the new

factories. Without the light background of the trees, the light moths were

more visible to birds and now the dark moths had a camouflage advantage.

in 1848. the dark moths comprised 1% of the population and by 1959 they

represented - 90% of the population. What type of selection does this

demonstrate?

Directional Selection

Stabilizing Selection

Disruptive Selection