Mimetism: What is and examples

We begin this article to know what the definition of mimicry is. Mimetism is one of the Survival strategies more surprising and effective than numerous species of animals and plants have developed throughout their biological evolution.

It consists of the ability to resemble individuals from other species With those who do not maintain any biological relationship, or try to achieve a similarity as accurate as possible to the own environment in which they livealways with the ultimate goal of obtaining some biological advantage and guaranteeing its survival.

Through mimicry, organisms are capable of deceiving other animals With those who live in the same habitat, mainly to their predators, confusing their senses of sight, ear and smell, and sometimes even inducing certain behaviors in them.

Now that you know what mimicry is, in the next sections we will see in detail the different types of mimicry that exist in nature, as well as examples of the most common and surprising mimic animals.

After knowing well the definition of this survival strategy, we explain the different Types of mimicryamong which are Batesian mimicry and Müllerian mimicry:

Batesian mimicry

Batesian mimicism is a very widespread type of mimicry within nature where A “model” species is toxic And/or not edible for predators, while a second species, “mimetics”, despite being edible and lacking toxicity, has evolved for years to achieve an appearance as accurate as possible to that of the toxic model species, thus favoring its survival by not being ingested by predators.

Generally, The mimetic species is less abundant than the “model”and both inhabit the same territory simultaneously, so that the predators of the area associate the pattern of colors and morphologies of the “model” species (already in turn, that of mimetics), as a non -edible organism.

Müllerian mimicry

Müllerian mimicism is another type of mimetic strategy where Two or more species appearall recognized as “non -edible or unpleasant organizations” For predators. Both species inhabit the same territory simultaneously and their evolutionary strategy has allowed their predators not to differentiate them from each other, since their appearance is practically the same.

With this, the two species keep their population number in balance, since the possible predators that do not yet know their “non -edible” condition, will prey them and consume equally, both individuals of both species.

Perhaps you are interested in taking a look at the following Ecology Verde article on predators and dams: examples and characteristics.

APOSEMATICS

Amematicism is a type of mimicry in which different species of animals and plants present colorations and some behaviors as a sign of WARNING OF YOUR OWN CHEMICAL TOXICITY. In this way, the lively yellow, orange and red colorations that have many amphibians, insects and other organisms, are aponymatic colorations that indicate possible predators of the toxicity of their intake and even the possibility of poisoning them with liquids and other irritating substances.

Discover more about Amematism: what is and examples in this post that we recommend.

Automimetism

Automimetism or Intraespecific mimicry It is another of the most surprising types of mimicry. In this case, agencies opt for imitate the shape and coloration of certain parts of your body (eyes, head, etc.), placing them at the posterior end of your body, as well as on the wings or on the back.

In the next section we will see the name of different animals that perform this sophisticated and surprising mimetic strategy to better understand their skills. For now, let’s continue seeing other examples of mimicry in animals.

Aggressive mimicry

Aggressive mimicry is characterized by the use of any mimetic technique with the aim of killing other individuals of another species to feed or to achieve another benefit, such as the famous case of the eggs of the cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), in which females are able to vary the appearance of their eggs depending on the species of bird that pretends to parasitize, thus getting their eggs mimetic with those of the other female of different species.

Non -visual mimicry

Not all mimetic strategies are based on visual, but sometimes, animals make use of various Chemical mechanisms (pheromones) and Sensory (odors and sounds) to mimic with other “model” species and achieve some concrete benefit or simply, its survival within the ecosystem.

Mimetism and crypt or camouflage

While mimicry entails the use of a “disguise” (certain anatomy and coloration) by the animal as imitation of another species with which it wants to resemble to ensure its survival; Crypts or camouflage only implies the body’s ability to mix with the bottom of the medium in which it is, changing its shape or color to ensure a more effective camouflage and that predators are not able to differentiate them.

You may be interested in consulting this post with animals that camouflage.

Finally, we offer lists with examples of mimicry according to the type:

Batesian mimicry

Within the examples of mimicry and, more specifically of the Batesian mimicry, we find:

• Coral snake (elapidae family): Mimetiza with poisonous king snakes (Lampropeltis Getula Californiae). Discover the difference between coral and false coral snake.
• Butterflies of the genus Dismorphia: I mimic other butterflies of the genus Ithomiini (NYMPHALIDAE FAMILY).
• Fly Aneriophora Aureorufa: Imitate the bruise Bombus Dahlborii.
• Orchid Ibaguense epidendrum: mimic the flowers of Cuassavica Asclepias.

Müllerian mimicry

As for the example of Müllerian mimicry, we can highlight the following two:

• Butterflies of the Heliconius genre.
• Genus dioptnae (Lepidoptera) gender.

APOSEMATICS

If we focus on aposthematicism, this type of mimicry we find:

• Muffets (Mephitidae family).
• Frury DardorOophaga granulifera).
• Yellow dart frog (Phyllobates Terribilis).
  
• Common salamandra (Salamandridae family).
• Hornet (Vespa Crubro).

Automimetism

Arrived at Automimetism we can highlight the following examples of mimicry:

• Pigmeo owl (genus glaucidium).
• Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus).
• Monarch butterfly (Nymphalidae family).
• Gray butterfly (Strymon melinus).

In addition, we tell you why the monarch butterfly is in danger of extinction, so you have more information on the subject.

Aggressive mimicry

As for aggressive mimicry, we find the following examples:

• Orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus).
• Beetle larvae of the Meloe genre.
• Hormigas predatory spiders of the Salticidae family.

Non -visual mimicry

Within non -visual mimicry we can find the following examples:

• Land owl (Athene Cunicularia).
• Orchid bee (Ophrys Speculum).
• Parasitic plants of the genus Rafflesia.
• Plants of the genus Stapelia.
• Tropical plants of the genus Amorphotallus.

Crypt or camouflage

Finally, within this example of mimicry we can also talk about camouflage. Among the most stand out species we find:

• Chameleon (Chamaeleonidae family).
• Blue rings octopus (Hopalochlaena genus).
• GECKO satanic leaf tail (Uuroplatus Phantasticus).
• Foliage sea dragon (Phycodurus Eques).
• Birch butterflies (Biston Betularia).

If you want to read more articles similar to Mimetism: What is and exampleswe recommend that you enter our biology category.