Q. England in 1850s, $i.e.,$ before industrialization set in, it was observed that there were more white-winged moths on trees than dark-winged or melanised moths. However, in the collection carried out from the same area, but after industrialization, $i.e.,$ in 1920, there were more dark-winged moths in the same area, $i.e.,$ the proportion was reversed Predict the possible reason for such change

A) Natural selection
B) Artificial selection
C) Conditional selection
D) Divergent selection
Explanation

The evolution of the peppered moths over the last two hundred years has been studied in detail. Originally, the vast majority of peppered moths had light colouration, which effectively camouflaged them against the light-coloured trees and lichens which they rested upon. However, because of widespread pollution during the Industrial Revolution in England, many of the lichens died out, and the trees that peppered moths rested on become blackened by the soot, causing most of the light-coloured moths or typical, to die off from predation. At the same time, the dark-coloured or melanic moths flourished because of their ability to hide on the darkened trees

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.

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