Industrial Britain’s Black Moths: One Gene Can Darken Them All

More than 100 species of moths became darker to blend in with pollution during Britain’s industrial revolution, but did these different moth species all rely on the same gene to adapt?

by GrrlScientist for Forbes | @GrrlScientist

NOTE: This piece was a Forbes Editor’s pick.

Two color morphs of the peppered moth (Biston betularia) next to each other on a tree trunk. The white typica morph (below the bark’s scar) is nearly invisible on this pollution-free tree, camouflaging it from predators, whereas the black carbonaria morph can be easily seen by hungry birds. (Credit: Martinowksy / CC BY-SA 3.0)

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𝐆𝐫𝐫𝐥𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭

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Evolutionary ecologist & ornithologist, science journalist. Freelance, job hunting. Writes about science for Forbes. Formerly: The Guardian. Always: Ravenclaw.

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