NEET 2009 Biology question

In the case of peppered moth (Biston betularia) the black-coloured form became dominant over the light-coloured form in England during industrial revolution. This is an example of :

(1)appearance of the darker coloured individuals due to very poor sunlight
(2)protective mimicry
(3)inheritance of darker colour character acquired due to the darker environment
(4)natural selection whereby the darker forms were selectedCorrect

Answer: (4)

Solution

Before industrialisation the light-coloured (white-winged) moths were camouflaged against lichen-covered tree trunks, and the dark form was eaten by birds. After industrialisation, soot darkened the tree trunks, so the dark (melanic) moths were camouflaged and the light ones were picked up by predators. The black form

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Question ID VK-090269