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The kinds of mimicry
Batesian mimicry
Peckhamian mimicry
Mullerian mimicry
Chemical mimicry
Cryptic mimicry
Other mimicry
Mimicry and the theory of evolution
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The relationship between mimicry and the theory of evolution
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About birds’ warning colors
What is Mullerian mimicry?
Example
Other example
What is Mullerian mimicry?
It is common for the dangerous species that are models of Batesian mimicry to have a “warning color” that warn enemies of their danger , but they become prey to the creatures that don’t know that they are toxic , due to their bright and very conspicuous colors. Thus , one creature at least needs to be eaten and inform predators of the danger of the species. It is Mullerian mimicry that both dangerous species get to be similar looks to each other in order to diminish the risk as much as possible. The larger the number of such species increases, the more the number of dangerous species saved by one sacrifice increases. Fritz Muller , the naturalist in Germany , discovered that fact and called Müllerian mimicry after his name. It is common for the dangerous species that are models of Batesian mimicry to have a “warning color” that warn enemies of their danger , but they become prey to the creatures that don’t know that they are toxic , due to their bright and very conspicuous colors. Thus , one creature at least needs to be eaten and inform predators of the danger of the species. It is Mullerian mimicry that both dangerous species get to be similar looks to each other in order to diminish the risk as much as possible. The larger the number of such species increases, the more the number of dangerous species saved by one sacrifice increases. Fritz Muller , the naturalist in Germany , discovered that fact and called Müllerian mimicry after his name.
Example
As for the typical example , both vespine wasp and a long-legged wasp are examples of Batesian mimicry and typical dangerous species that was modeled. Their color and form are similar to each other , so both of them come to be difficult to be attacked when either of them was eaten by predators.
(Vespine wasp : above Long-legged wasp : below )
Other example
Fireflies and Pidorus glaucopis have bad smells and black wings. Moreover , their bright red heads become a warning color and show that they are dangerous. This is how these two species that are similar to each other in their warning colors and figures decrease their own risk by mimicking each other.
( Firefly : above Pidorus glaucopis : below)