Why did the dark-colored variation of peppered moths become more common during the Industrial Revolution in Britain?
There was an influx of people into the cities during that time and they killed the white variation off since they didn't like them.
The pollution darkened the environment, which caused the dark-colored variation to become advantageous.
The pollution affected the lungs of the white variation moth more than the black variation and so more of the white died.
There was an increase of buildings built and the loss of habitat caused the white variation to go extinct.
The pollution darkened the environment, which caused the dark-colored variation to become advantageous.
During the Industrial Revolution in Britain, the dark-colored variation of peppered moths became more common due to two main factors: environmental changes caused by pollution and natural selection.
1. Environmental changes caused by pollution: The Industrial Revolution led to the significant increase in industrial activities and the burning of fossil fuels, resulting in high levels of pollution. This pollution darkened the environment with soot and smoke, making the previously light-colored trees and surfaces appear darker. This change in the environment provided camouflage advantage to the dark-colored variation of peppered moths, as they were better camouflaged against the darkened backgrounds. On the other hand, the light-colored variation of moths stood out more in this polluted environment, making them more vulnerable to predators.
2. Natural selection: With the change in environment, the survival advantage shifted towards the dark-colored variation of peppered moths. Predators, such as birds, were more likely to spot and prey upon the light-colored moths against the now darker background, while the dark-colored moths were better able to blend in and evade predation. As a result, the dark-colored variation had a higher survival rate, allowing them to reproduce and pass on their genetic traits to the next generation. Over time, the frequency of the dark-colored variation increased in the moth population, while the light-colored variation decreased.
It is important to note that the explanation for the increase in the dark-colored variation of peppered moths during the Industrial Revolution is a classic example of natural selection and was proposed by scientists such as J.W. Tutt and Bernard Kettlewell in the mid-20th century. The initial notion that people killed off the white variation is not supported by scientific research and is not a scientifically accepted explanation. Instead, the main driver of the change was the combination of environmental changes and natural selection.
To understand why the dark-colored variation of peppered moths became more common during the Industrial Revolution in Britain, we need to look at the process of natural selection.
Peppered moths come in two color variations: light-colored (white) and dark-colored. Before the Industrial Revolution, the light-colored variation was more common and better adapted to the environment. This was because the trees were covered in lichens and the moths could easily camouflage themselves against the light-colored tree bark, allowing them to avoid predators.
However, during the Industrial Revolution, there were significant changes in the environment due to pollution caused by industrial activities. Pollutants released into the air resulted in the darkening of trees and surfaces, making the environment darker overall.
This change in the environment provided a new advantage to the dark-colored variation of peppered moths. The dark moths were now better camouflaged against the polluted and darkened tree bark, allowing them to avoid predation more effectively than the light-colored moths. As a result, the dark-colored variation had a higher survival rate, leading to an increase in their population over time.
Additionally, the industrialization of cities during this period also caused a loss of habitat for the light-colored moths. As more buildings were constructed, many trees were cut down, reducing the available area for the light-colored moths to thrive. This habitat loss put the light-colored variation at a disadvantage and contributed to their decline in population.
It is important to note that the idea that people killed off the white variation of peppered moths because they didn't like them is a common misconception. The change in moth population was primarily driven by natural selection and changes in the environment, rather than direct human intervention.