Evolution in reverse: clean air and the peppered moth

Between 1848 and 1895 the melanic form f carbonaria of the peppered moth increased in Manchester from 0 to 98%. The reverse process is now occurring in one locality in Memyside where a year-to-year survey has shown that the pale form f. typica has increased from 6 to 30% between 1959 and 1984. Supporting information also comes from two studies in N Wales. The Clean Air Acts and the consequent decline in air pollution levels are probably responsible but there are many ill–understood problems, not the least being how, and the extent to which, non-visual selection operates.

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