What was the selective pressure driving the color change in moths during the industrial revolution?
A) The predators could not see the darker colored moths on the sooty trees.
B) The darker colored moths were better able to breathe in the polluted environment.
C) The darker colored moth was active at night, when pollution was less damaging.
D) The preferred food of the darker colored moth increased with industrialization.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During the industrial revolution, there was an increase in air pollution from factories and coal burning, causing trees to become covered in soot. This made it difficult for predators to see lighter colored moths on the dark trees, leading to a selective pressure for darker colored moths to survive and reproduce more successfully. This phenomenon is known as industrial melanism.

What Was the Selective Pressure Driving the Color Change in Moths