Replacement of the lighter-coloured variety of peppered moth (Biston betularia) to its darker variety (Biston carbonaria) in England is the example of

Options

A. natural selection
B. regeneration
C. genetic isolation
D. temporal isolation.

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Identify the Organisms Involved**: The question mentions two varieties of the peppered moth: the lighter-colored variety (Biston betularia) and the darker variety (Biston carbonaria).

2. **Contextual Background**: Before the Industrial Revolution, the lighter-colored moths were more prevalent because they blended in with the light-colored tree barks covered with lichens, making them less visible to predators.

3. **Impact of Industrial Revolution**: Following the Industrial Revolution, pollution increased, leading to tree barks becoming darkened with soot. This environmental change affected the visibility of the moths.

4. **Change in Survival Advantage**: With the darkened tree barks, the darker variety of moths (Biston carbonaria) had a survival advantage because they were now less visible to predators compared to the lighter-colored moths.

5. **Population Dynamics**: As a result of this shift in camouflage, the population of the darker moths increased, while the population of the lighter moths decreased due to higher predation rates.

6. **Concept of Natural Selection**: This scenario exemplifies the principle of natural selection, where the traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common in successive generations. The darker moths had a useful variation that improved their fitness in the changed environment.

7. **Conclusion**: The replacement of the lighter-colored variety by the darker variety of the peppered moth in England is a classic example of natural selection.

**Final Answer**: The replacement of the lighter-colored variety of peppered moth (Biston betularia) to its darker variety (Biston carbonaria) in England is an example of **natural selection**.

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