Page 222 - The Error of the Evolution of Species

The Error of the Evolution
of Species

Subsequent Studies Do Not Confirm
Kettlewell's Thesis

Professor Kettlewell's studies were carried out in the re-
gions of Birmingham and Dorset. In later years, various sci-

entists performed similar studies in other areas. Their results
astonished researchers, because the expected data failed to
materialize. For example, they expected all the light-colored
moths to be eliminated around Manchester, an area exposed
to very heavy air pollution. Yet that is not what they
found. 278 This indicated that there were other factors leading
to melanism in moths, beyond Kettlewell's thesis.
Investigations in other regions also failed to match
Kettlewell's statements. The Liverpool University biologist

Jim Bishop realized that there were more melanics than ex-
pected in unpolluted, rural areas of Wales, and concluded
that as yet unknown factors were involved. 279 Two re-
searchers who had worked alongside Kettlewell, David Lees
and Robert Creed, revealed a darker- moth level of 80% in
rural parts of eastern England with very little air pollution.
These two scientists stated that Kettlewell's studies were not

all that reliable:
We conclude therefore that either the predation experi-
ments and tests of conspicuousness to humans are mis-
leading, or some factors or factors in addition to selective

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