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Evolution

Question
CBSEENBI12003297

Which of the following evidences does not favour the Lamarckian concept of inheritance of acquired characters

  • Absence of limbs in snakes

  • Melanisation in peppered moth

  • Presence of webbed toes in aquatic birds

  • Lack of pigment in cave-dwelling animals

Solution

B.

Melanisation in peppered moth

Industrial melanism is an adaptation where the moths living in the industrial areas developed melanin pigments to match their body to the soot-covered surroundings. The phenomenon provides an excellent example of operation ofselection in natural conditions. Industrial melanism, therefore, presents an excellent example ofnatural selection (proposed by Darwin), but it is not the example of acquired characters proposed by Lamarck.
In caves, due to absence of light, the body of the animal lacks pigmentation, e.g., Proteus anguinus. In pythons and related snakes rudimentary pelvic girdle and traces of hindlimb are present. They form small clawed projections externally, but internally there are vestiges of an ilium, femur, tibia and a claw. In aquatic birds and flying frog, the feet are webbed which sustain it in the prolonged leaps to which it is adapted