Mimicry

We explain what mimicry of living beings is, what it is for, types and examples. Also, differences between mimicry and camouflage.

mimicry mantis orchid hymenopus coronatus
The orchid mantis uses mimicry to look like a flower and attract prey.

What is mimicry?

Mimicry is the ability that individuals of certain species have to superficially resemble others with whom they do not have a close family relationship. This ability should not be confused with camouflage.

In mimicry, three participants are recognized that coexist in the same environment: the model organism, the mimetic (which is the one that resembles the model) and the unsuspecting or recipient (which is the one deceived by mimicry). The dupe may be a third species, it may be the model, or it may be a certain sex of the mimetic species.

Therefore, mimicry can be defined as a survival strategy of mimetic organisms (plants or animals) designed to deceive the senses of the receiving organisms (animals) with which the habitat and induce a certain behavior in them.

Typically, the mimetic species gains an advantage by resembling the model: avoiding its predators, attracting its prey, or maximizing its reproductive strategies. This achieves disguising their true nature through deception visual, olfactory, auditory, tactile and behavioral.

Like other biological strategies, mimicry is the result of the joint evolution of different species and the selective pressure exerted by some organisms on others (generally, receptors on models and mimetics).

For example, if an insect prefers to pollinate the flowers of a certain species, natural selection can cause individuals of another species to prevail over time that (by chance) have flowers with a similar color, shape, and scent. The insect will also visit and pollinate them, and in the long term this species will benefit from mimicry by leaving more offspring.

See also: Adaptation of living beings

Types of mimicry

mimicry false coral lampropeltis triangulum
Thanks to Batesian mimicry, this harmless snake looks like a dangerous coral.

There are different forms of mimicry. Some have a defensive objective, such as Batesian, Müllerian, and automimicry, and others have an aggressive objective.

Batesian mimicry

Batesian mimicry occurs when a harmless species copies the appearance or behavior of another, more dangerous or repugnant species. So discourages attacks from predators which confuse it with an inedible species and, therefore, do not attack it.

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This type of mimicry gets its name from the English naturalist Henry Walter Bates (1825-1892), who was the first to study it using butterflies from Brazil.

Müllerian mimicry

Müllerian mimicry occurs when both the model and the mimetic species present the same danger (bad taste, poison, etc.) for a given predator, and develop a similar appearance that reinforces the signal and makes the predator avoid them equally.

This mechanism is related to aposematism, which is a strategy that many living beings present to warn their predators of their toxicity or bad taste. They do this through striking colors (such as green, red and yellow), smells or sounds.

This type of mimicry gets its name from the German biologist Fritz Müller (1821-1897), the main student of this strategy.

Automimicry

Automimicry or Brower mimicry occurs when both the model and the mimetic organism are of the same species.

There are two forms of this mimicry. One of them takes place when a living being disguises one part of its body with the appearance of another, more vulnerable part. The most widespread example is the appearance of eye-like spots on the tail or wings. Thus, the organism directs the eventual attack of its predators towards non-vital areas of the body.

Another form of self-mimicry occurs when harmless individuals of a species copy the appearance or behavior of other dangerous individuals of that species. For example, there are drones that imitate the appearance of bees (with a stinger) and avoid being preyed upon.

Aggressive mimicry

Aggressive mimicry occurs when a predatory or parasitic species copy the appearance of another harmless species, in order to disguise its nature and have easy access to its prey or host.

It may be that the model and recipient species are the same, for example when a mimetic organism imitates its own prey or host. Or it may also happen that the imitated model species is one that does not represent any threat to the receiving organism.

Mimicry and camouflage

mimicry phrys speculum
Far from camouflage, the appearance of this flower resembles a bee and attracts male bees.

Mimicry and camouflage are two strategies that should not be confused.

Mimicry consists of copying the appearance or behavior of another living being, and seeks to generate some reaction in the receiving organism, for example, moving away from or approaching the mimetic organism.

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Camouflage, on the other hand, aims to hide an organism in its environment, that is, to make it indistinguishable to another organism (such as a predator).

For that, an individual camouflages himself with the background (which he considers neutral) through changes in its coloration or apparent texture (as chameleons or octopuses do), or through imitative structures (as stick bugs or leaf bugs do).

Examples of animal and plant mimicry

mimicry fish chaetodon auriga ocelli
The spot that looks like an eye (ocelus) confuses predators of this fish.

Here are some examples of mimicry:

  • coral snakes They are a group of snakes that have a very venomous bite. Its color and stripe pattern is imitated by a group of harmless snakes called “false corals.” It is an example of Batesian mimicry.
  • Bed bug nymphs Hyalymenus They resemble sap-sucking ants both morphologically and behaviorally. Ectatomma sp., which are capable of stinging and injecting toxins into their predators. It is an example of Batesian mimicry.
  • The juvenile lizard Heliobolus lugubris They imitate the black coloration with white stripes and the way of moving of beetles of the Anthia genus, which spray formic acid at their predators. Thus, juvenile lizards avoid predation. It is an example of Batesian mimicry.
  • Many potter wasps belonging to different genera, have similar colors and patterns that indicate their danger to predators (Müllerian mimicry). Additionally, there are some harmless beetles, moths and flies that have a similar appearance (Batesian mimicry).
  • Butterflies of the genus Heliconius They have a similar pattern of black wings with red or orange spots. And all of them taste bad to their predators because of the plants the caterpillars consume. It is an example of Müllerian mimicry.
  • The orchid Ophrys speculum It has a flower that perfectly imitates the appearance of a female bee. This way it gets the males to approach and transport the pollen to other individuals of the same species.
  • The creeper Trifoliolate mouthpiece It has the ability to make its leaves resemble those of the tree it climbs in shape, size, color and thickness. In this way, it goes unnoticed and prevents herbivores (generally snails and insects) from eating its leaves.
  • The caterpillar Periphoba archaei It has developed a false head with antennae at its rear end, which disorients predators and encourages them to attack it through that non-vital part of the body. It is an example of self-mimicry.
  • Some butterflies (as Mycalesis patnia) and fish (like Chaetodon auriga) have round, dark spots on their wings or dorsal fin called “ocelli.” Apparently eyes, they divert the attention of predators from the vital areas of their body; They also serve to scare them away. It is an example of self-mimicry.
  • The orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) is a ferocious predator that hides behind the appearance of an orchid, as it copies its colors and shapes. Thus it becomes indistinguishable to the prey and manages to hunt it with less effort. It is an example of aggressive mimicry.
  • The common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)​ is a bird that exercises breeding parasitism, that is, it lays its eggs in the nests of other species so that they feed their chicks. The appearance of the cuckoo's eggs resembles those of its hosts, and this means that they do not reject them. It is an example of aggressive mimicry.
  • female fireflies of the genus Photuris imitate the mating flashes of fireflies of the genus Photinus. Thus, they attract the males of that genus and eat them. It is an example of aggressive mimicry.
  • some beetles of the family Staphylinidae synthesize the same chemical compounds that certain species of termites use to recognize themselves. Thus, the beetles can infiltrate colonies and prey on eggs and larvae. It is an example of aggressive mimicry.
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References

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  • Wickler, W.J.H. (February 10, 2023). Mimicry. Encyclopedia Britannica. Britannica
  • National Museum of Natural History. (August 17, 2018). Batesian and Müllerian mimicry in insects. Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, Government of Chile. MNHN
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  • “Mimicry” on Wikipedia.
  • “What is mimicry?” (video) in Azteca Noticias.