Natural Selection and the Peppered Moth

The theory of evolution provides a scientific explanation for the diversity of life on Earth. One key mechanism of evolution is natural selection, which operates on variations within populations. An example of this can be seen in the peppered moth (Biston betularia) in England. In the early 19th century, most of these moths were light-colored, allowing them to blend in with the lichen-covered trees where they rested. However, during the Industrial Revolution, soot from factories darkened tree bark. As a result, darker-colored moths had a survival advantage because they were less visible to predators. This shift in the population’s coloration over time is a classic case of natural selection acting on phenotypic variation. Based on this information, which of the following concepts best describes the process observed in the peppered moth population?