Consider the graphic of the moths. Although not the peppered species, they are spotted and show variation in coloration. Note the ancestral moth species. Predict a situation where the ancestral species diverges into two additional species, now resulting in three, rather than one moth species in the area.
a. Mutations in the moth DNA resulted in variation. Over time, those mutations were passed to offspring. Different species evolved over time.
b. The environment changed over time. Some moths were able to survive the changes; others were not. Eventually, the ancestral species became extinct and two surviving species replaced it.
c. Variation in the ancestral species existed. Depending on the habitat, certain coloration variations provided better camouflage to escape predation. Over time, different species evolved.
d. Variation in the ancestral species existed. Depending on the habitat, different food resources were available. The anatomy of the moths varied and some were able to eat the food available; others were not. Over time, different species evolved.