Mimic
From Free net encyclopedia
- For other uses, see Mimic (disambiguation).
A mimic is any species that has evolved to appear similar to another successful species in order to dupe predators into avoiding the mimic, or dupe prey into approaching the mimic. A mimic generally resembles its target in one or more of the following: appearance, behavior, and habitat. Image:Droneflybeemimic.jpg
There are many types of mimics:
- Batesian mimics (named after Henry Walter Bates), where the mimic resembles the successful species but does not share the attribute that discourages predation.
- Müllerian mimics (named after Fritz Müller), where the mimic resembles the successful species and shares the anti-predation attribute.
- Aggressive mimics, where the mimic resembles a harmless species in order to lure prey.
- Bakerian mimics (named after Herbert G. Baker), where the mimic resembles members of its own species in order to lure pollinators or reap other benefits, although the mimicry may not be readily apparent due to the fact that the members of the same species may still exhibit sexual dimorphism.
- Vavilovian mimics (named after N.I. Vavilov), where the mimic resembles a domesticated plant, but through generations of artificial selection becomes domesticated. This type of mimicry does not occur in natural ecosystems.
For example, the Ash Borer moth is a Batesian mimic of the common wasp because it resembles the wasp, but is not capable of stinging. A predator who would thus avoid the wasp would similarly avoid the Ash Borer.
On the other hand, a honeybee is a Müllerian mimic of the wasp (and vice-versa), since both share similar appearance and coloring, and both are capable of stinging.
Female fireflies of the genus Photus are an example of aggressive mimics. By copying the light signals of fireflies of other species, they lure male fireflies which are then captured and eaten.
See also
de:Mimikry es:Mimetismo fr:Mimétisme lt:Mimikrija nl:Mimicry ja:擬態 pt:Mimetismo ru:Мимикрия zh:拟态