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