Phenomenon of industrial melanism demonstrates

Options

A. Geographical isolation
B. Reproductive isolation
C. Natural selection
D. Induced mutation

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding Industrial Melanism**: Industrial melanism is a phenomenon where darker-colored individuals of a species become more prevalent in industrial areas due to environmental changes caused by pollution.

2. **Historical Context**: The phenomenon was notably observed in England during the 19th century. Before industrialization (around the 1860s), the environment was relatively clean, and the tree bark was covered with light-colored lichens.

3. **Pre-Industrialization Observation**: In this environment, the white-winged moths were more common than the dark-winged moths. The white color of the moths provided better camouflage against the light-colored tree bark, making them less visible to predators.

4. **Impact of Industrialization**: By the 1920s, industrialization led to increased pollution, which darkened the tree bark due to soot and smoke from factories. This change in the environment affected the survival rates of the moths.

5. **Post-Industrialization Observation**: With the darkened tree bark, the white moths became more visible to predators, leading to a decrease in their population. Conversely, the dark-winged moths, which were previously at a disadvantage, now had better camouflage against the darkened bark, leading to an increase in their population.

6. **Conclusion**: This shift in the population dynamics of the moths illustrates the process of natural selection. The darker moths were favored by the new environmental conditions, demonstrating how species can adapt to changes in their environment over time.

7. **Final Answer**: Therefore, the phenomenon of industrial melanism demonstrates natural selection, making the correct answer option C.

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