Question

Industrial melanism as observed in peppered moth proves that

• A. the true black melanic form arise by a recurring random mutation
• B. the melanic form of the moth has no selective advantage over lighter form in industrial area
• C. the lighter-form moth has no selective advantage either in polluted industrial area or non-polluted area
• D. melanism is a pollution-generated feature

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Industrial melanism is a term used to describe the evolutionary process in which darker individuals come to predominate over lighter individuals since the industrial revolution as a result of natural selection. In 1848, a black form of the moth was recorded in Manchester and by 1895, 98% of the peppered moth population in Manchester was black. This black melanic form arose by a recurring random mutation, but its phenotypic appearance had a strong selective advantage in industrial areas.