Postindustrial Melanism in the Peppered Moth
- 7 February 1986
- journal article
- other
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 231 (4738), 611-613
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.231.4738.611
Abstract
New data show the geographical pattern of frequency of the melanic morph carbonaria of the peppered moth, Biston betularia, in 1983-84. These frequencies are compared with data from 1952 to 1970. After 20 years of smoke control, the area of high melanic frequency has contracted to the northeast. The change indicates a disadvantage to carbonaria of about 12 percent compared with 20 years ago. Computer simulations, which do not include the assumption of heterozygote advantage, provide a good match to the surface for the period 1952 to 1970, and also the 1983-84 surface. Experiments on visual predation have been criticized as giving unrepresentative estimates of selection but they permit satisfactory simulations to be made.Keywords
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