Page 224 - The Error of the Evolution of Species

The Error of the Evolution
of Species

sumption. In the words of R. J. Berry, one of Kettlewell's

colleagues, "It is clear that melanic peppered moth frequen-
cies are determined by much more than differential visual
predation by birds." 283
Finally, in 1988, Professor Bruce Grant and his col-
leagues announced the results of their own research aimed
at establishing the true cause of melanism in moths, ac-
cording to which, the declines in melanism "correlated pri-

marily with reductions in atmospheric sulfur dioxide." 284
In short, research over the last 20 to 30 years has not
confirmed Kettlewell's thesis at all. Moreover, it has become
increasingly apparent that there were many errors—and de-
ceptions—in his account.

The Erroneous Idea that Lichens
Play a Role in Melanism

As will be remembered, Kettlewell claimed that lichens
growing darker or dying is an important part of the natural
selection process. But exactly how true was this?
th
Research in the last quarter of the 20 century revealed
that his prediction did not reflect the truth at all. With their

observations in 104 separate points in Britain, David Lees
and his colleagues revealed that there was no correlation
between melanism and tree lichens; which they comment-

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