the peppered moth, biston betularia was generally white in color with black speckles. over time a more solid black moth became the more common variety. which of the following best explains the relationship between wing pigmentation and the coloration of a mothâs surroundings?
The relationship between wing pigmentation and the coloration of a moth’s surroundings can be explained by the process of natural selection. In the case of the peppered moth, the change in wing coloration from predominantly white to predominantly black occurred as a result of environmental factors.
During the industrial revolution in England, the widespread pollution caused by factories led to the darkening of trees and surfaces in industrial areas. This change in the environment created a selection pressure on the peppered moth population. The darker-colored moths had a better chance of survival and reproduction because their wing pigmentation provided camouflage against the darkened backgrounds, making them less visible to predators.
On the other hand, the lighter-colored moths stood out against the darkened backgrounds and became more susceptible to predation. As a result, the proportion of black moths in the population increased over time, while the number of white moths decreased.
This phenomenon is a classic example of natural selection, where individuals with advantageous traits that are better suited to survive and reproduce in a particular environment are more likely to pass on their genes to the next generation. Over time, this can lead to the evolution of populations with traits that are better adapted to their specific surroundings.
Therefore, the best explanation for the relationship between wing pigmentation and the coloration of a moth’s surroundings in the case of the peppered moth is that the change in wing coloration was driven by natural selection favoring the darker-colored moths in response to environmental changes.