Adaptation and speciation through natural selection
The two types of peppered moths are the light-colored form called typica and the dark-colored form called carbonaria. These moths became famous for illustrating natural selection during the Industrial Revolution in England.
Lizards
The phenomenon of the peppered moth becoming black is a common example of evolution. Originally, the vast majority of peppered moths had light coloration which camouflaged them when on the light-colored trees and lichens where they normally rested. 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 became blackened by soot from factories. This caused the light colored moths to stand out against the dark background, so they were easily found and eaten by predators. At the same time, the dark-colored moths flourished because of their ability to hide on the darkened trees.
About 98% of peppered moths were dark by 1900 due to industrial pollution causing trees to darken, making dark moths more camouflaged and increasing their survival rates.
Peppered moths primarily feed on nectar from flowers when they are in their adult stage. In their caterpillar stage, they feed on the leaves of trees such as oak, birch, and elm. They also consume algae, lichens, and fungi found on tree bark.
The example of peppered moths is not really different from Darwin's theory, it is the same concept. The only difference is that peppered moths live in the same habitat, where as Darwin's finches live in different habitats, which drove the evolution of their different beak shapes. The peppered moths have adapted to blend into their environment so they're not as easily caught.
Black peppered moths and white peppered moths
The two types of peppered moths are the light-colored form called typica and the dark-colored form called carbonaria. These moths became famous for illustrating natural selection during the Industrial Revolution in England.
Lizards
Peppered moths have Camouflage and Mimicry, the use of Camouflage is to hide from predators.
B) that a harmful phenotype may become an advantageous phenotype when the environment changes
Peppered moths are so named for their appearance with their many black spots. The larvae thrive by eating the leaves from a variety of trees like the oak tree.
Peppered moths are so named for their appearance with their many black spots. The larvae thrive by eating the leaves from a variety of trees like the oak tree.
Lizards
The phenomenon of the peppered moth becoming black is a common example of evolution. Originally, the vast majority of peppered moths had light coloration which camouflaged them when on the light-colored trees and lichens where they normally rested. 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 became blackened by soot from factories. This caused the light colored moths to stand out against the dark background, so they were easily found and eaten by predators. At the same time, the dark-colored moths flourished because of their ability to hide on the darkened trees.
The change of common color from light to dark in the peppered moth was an example of natural selection, where darker moths had better camouflage in polluted environments, leading to increased survival and reproduction, and ultimately a shift in the moth population towards darker individuals.
birds couldn't see the dark-colored moths on the trees darkened by industry.