An Experimental Study of the Cline of Industrial Melanism in Biston betularia (L.) (Lepidoptera) between Urban Liverpool and Rural North Wales

Bishop, J. A.

doi:10.2307/3513

Cited by 164 publications

(130 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…If migration between regions of high and low frequency was sufficiently extensive, it would reduce the apparent selection at low carbonaria frequencies and inflate it where carbonaria was common, and could also change the apparent selection over time. The evidence used to date in modelling morph frequency variation suggests that males may move 2-3 km per generation (Bishop, 1972;May et al, 1975). As melanic frequency in rural and semirural areas was higher than expected, Bishop (1972) considered the possibility of heterozygote advantage as an additional contributory factor, and Mani (1980Mani ( , 1990 included non-visual advantage to both melanic genotypes in his analysis of the north-Wales cline.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Melanic frequency in this species has dropped more slowly than that of B. betularia in other industrial areas (Cook et al, 2002). For example, a location just south of Manchester had an apparently stable frequency of 68.9% nigra in the period 1972-1982(n ¼ 1150, Bishop et al, 1978Cook et al, 2004), whereas in 1999-2006, the frequency was 35.3% (n ¼ 90). As there is great variation about the trend in O. bidentata in Leeds, we confine our detailed analysis to B. betularia.…”

Section: Lm Cook and Jrg Turnermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Decline of melanism in two British moths: spatial, temporal and inter-specific variation

Cook

Turner

2008

Heredity

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The decline in industrial melanism over the last quarter century constitutes an exceptional case of an evolutionary change, varying in both time and space, and between species. In Biston betularia and Odontoptera bidentata, the change in melanic frequency is closely replicated at two sites 0.5 km apart. Between seven sites 50-100 km apart, there is heterogeneity in both the speed and timing of change. At sites that were heavily industrialized, the change is faster, from an initially higher frequency, and starts later than at sites which are more rural.We propose a method for estimating systematic change during sigmoid declines in melanic frequencies. This fails to show any significant change over time in selective coefficients. It is concluded that the overall pattern of change has been driven largely by events in the most polluted and industrialized parts of the country. Although migration may contribute to the estimated selective values, natural selection is the only credible explanation for the overall decline.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Lm Cook and Jrg Turnermentioning

confidence: 99%

Decline of melanism in two British moths: spatial, temporal and inter-specific variation

Cook

Turner

2008

Heredity

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“…Early dispersion of melanic forms, as they spread progressively southward, suggested that migration rates could be high (Steward, 1977b). Bishop (1972) was the first to provide an estimate. Using marked adults released at a central point and recaptured in traps progressively distant from it, he showed that male moths could move an average of about 2 km per night.…”

Section: Balance Of Visual Selection and Migrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…He coordinated country-wide surveys of morph frequency (1958 and 1965), which became the standard to compare earlier and later work, and produced the first convincing evidence that birds eat the moths and could do so selectively (Kettlewell, 1955). Following his example, other authors tested for selective predation with moths of different phenotypes exposed on trees to be eaten (Clarke and Sheppard, 1966;Bishop, 1972;Lees and Creed, 1975;Whittle et al, 1976;Steward, 1977a;Bishop et al, 1978;Murray et al, 1980;Howlett and Majerus, 1987). Overall, these experiments suggested that the melanic peppered moth had an advantage of up to 2 to 1 over the typical form in industrial locations, where melanic frequency was 80 per cent or more, but a disadvantage, sometimes large, where the frequency was lower.…”

Section: Kettlewell's Surveys and Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The peppered moth and industrial melanism: evolution of a natural selection case study

2012

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From the outset multiple causes have been suggested for changes in melanic gene frequency in the peppered moth Biston betularia and other industrial melanic moths. These have included higher intrinsic fitness of melanic forms and selective predation for camouflage. The possible existence and origin of heterozygote advantage has been debated. From the 1950s, as a result of experimental evidence, selective predation became the favoured explanation and is undoubtedly the major factor driving the frequency change. However, modelling and monitoring of declining melanic frequencies since the 1970s indicate either that migration rates are much higher than existing direct estimates suggested or else, or in addition, non-visual selection has a role. Recent molecular work on genetics has revealed that the melanic (carbonaria) allele had a single origin in Britain, and that the locus is orthologous to a major wing patterning locus in Heliconius butterflies. New methods of analysis should supply further information on the melanic system and on migration that will complete our understanding of this important example of rapid evolution.

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Industrial Melanism

Grant

2012

Encyclopedia of Life Sciences

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Industrial melanism refers to the evolution of dark body colours in animal species that live in habitats blackened by industrial soot. The phenomenon has been documented in numerous species that hide from predators by blending in with their backgrounds. Peppered moths provide one example. Before the industrial revolution, peppered moths in the UK were pale grey, but after their habitats became polluted with soot from coal‐fired industries, melanic (black) phenotypes became numerous and spread to other regions. Away from industrial centres, the pale phenotype remained common. Following clean air legislation a century later, the atmosphere improved, soot‐damaged habitats gradually recovered, and the pale phenotype returned as the predominant form. Parallel changes have occurred in America. The melanic and pale phenotypes are determined by genes, and the changes in their percentages in populations reflect natural selection. Experiments identify bird predation on the moth phenotypes as the agent of selection. Key Concepts: The natural colour patterns of animals are adaptations produced by natural selection. A change in frequency (percentage) of genetically determined phenotypes in natural populations is direct evidence of evolutionary change. Mutations introduce new genetic variation to a population, but recurrent mutations occur too rarely to bring about rapid changes in the frequency of genes. Random changes in the frequency of genes (genetic drift) are irregular and unpredictable in direction. Directional, rapid changes in the frequency of genetically determined phenotypes in populations result from natural selection. Historical records on phenotypic frequencies from population samples allow the assessment of natural selection. Gene flow (migration) retards genetic differentiation among geographically widespread populations. Clines indicate different selection pressures along environmental gradients; when selection is removed, migration homogenises the differences along a cline. Parallel evolution is ‘nature's replicate experiment’.

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An Experimental Study of the Cline of Industrial Melanism in Biston betularia (L.) (Lepidoptera) between Urban Liverpool and Rural North Wales

Cited by 164 publications

References 29 publications

Decline of melanism in two British moths: spatial, temporal and inter-specific variation

Decline of melanism in two British moths: spatial, temporal and inter-specific variation

The peppered moth and industrial melanism: evolution of a natural selection case study

Industrial Melanism

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