The Epigenetic Caterpillar: An Alternative to the Darwinian view of the Peppered Moth Phenomenon

Industrial melanism of peppered moths is a famous case of what has often been described as: 'Darwinian evolution via selection in action'. This little booklet offers a light-hearted approach to this rather controversial topic. It offers an alternative view of evolutionary processes, based upon the most cutting-edge biological science. It explains speciation (how one species becomes another) in real terms, hence the use of an epigenetic caterpillar analogy. Its metamorphosis into a butterfly for example: turns it into a distinctly different animal. Whether it is in its caterpillar or a flying insect form, its genes remain identical. Epigenetic expression of the genes is the key. Epigenetics works above the genes and doesn't actually change the DNA sequence. And, interestingly, all of this supports older evolutionary alternatives going back over 200 years ago. Ideas that Charles Darwin actually supported and thought important drivers of evolution along with natural selection.