Evolution in Action

Evidence for Evolution by Natural Selection

 Evolution in action
Peppered Moth (Biston betularia)
Two varieties (phenotypes): Speckled (white)
Melanic (dark)

Peppered moth varieties

 Evolution in action
Year % dark % light
1848 100 ←clean air, light-coloured bark
1895 98 2 ←pollution, dark-coloured bark
1995 19 81 ←Clean Air Act, light-coloured bark

industrial melanism
 Evolution in action
Melanic and
speckled moths
on
lichen-covered
tree trunk.
Can you even
find the
speckled moth?
 Evolution in action
Melanic and speckled moths on soot-covered tree trunk
 Evolution in action
• Why did the population change?
– early 1800s = pre-industrial England
• low pollution
• lichen on trees = light coloured bark
• Melanic gene selected OUT
– late 1800s = industrial revolution
• factories = soot/ash coated trees
• killed lichen = dark coloured bark
• Melanic gene selected IN
– mid 1900s = pollution controls
• clean air laws
• return of lichen = light coloured bark
• Melanic gene selected OUT
Survival of the Fittest