Coral Snake Mimicry: Does It Occur?

Greene, Harry W.; McDiarmid, Roy W.

doi:10.1126/science.213.4513.1207

Cited by 170 publications

(115 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Batesian polymorphism is suggested to distribute warning signal degradation over several defended model species, enabling the mimic to increase in abundance. Reported accounts of such mimetic polymorphism, however, are relatively rare 6 and unknown in vertebrate mimicry systems 11,12 .Here we investigate a mimicry system that is inconsistent with the predictions of frequency dependence. We examine a poison-frog mimicry complex composed of two parapatric models and a geographically varying mimic (Fig.…”

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confidence: 96%

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Predator learning favours mimicry of a less-toxic model in poison frogs

Darst

Cummings

2006

Nature

156

126

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1 . Mimetic advantage is considered to be dependent on frequency because an increase in mimic abundance leads to breakdown of the warning signal 2,3 . Where multiple toxic species are available, batesian polymorphism 4 is predicted-that is, mimics diversify to match sympatric models. Despite the prevalence of batesian mimicry in nature 5 , batesian polymorphism is relatively rare 6 . Here we explore a poison-frog mimicry complex comprising two parapatric models and a geographically dimorphic mimic that shows monomorphism where models co-occur. Contrary to classical predictions, our toxicity assays, field observations and spectral reflectances show that mimics resemble the less-toxic and less-abundant model. We examine "stimulus generalization" 7 as a mechanism for this nonintuitive result with learning experiments using naive avian predators and live poison frogs. We find that predators differ in avoidance generalization depending on toxicity of the model, conferring greater protection to mimics resembling the lesstoxic model owing to overlap of generalized avoidance curves. Our work supports a mechanism of toxicity-dependent stimulus generalization 8 , revealing an additional solution for batesian mimicry where multiple models coexist.In batesian mimicry, an edible species co-opts a warning signal from an unpalatable species to gain advantage through predator deception 1 . If batesian mimics are too common, however, this advantage breaks down as predators learn to ignore the warning signal. Where more than one model species is available 4 , diversifying frequency-dependent selection predicts the evolution of polymorphism in which mimics diverge in appearance to resemble sympatric models 6,9,10 . Batesian polymorphism is suggested to distribute warning signal degradation over several defended model species, enabling the mimic to increase in abundance. Reported accounts of such mimetic polymorphism, however, are relatively rare 6 and unknown in vertebrate mimicry systems 11,12 .Here we investigate a mimicry system that is inconsistent with the predictions of frequency dependence. We examine a poison-frog mimicry complex composed of two parapatric models and a geographically varying mimic (Fig. 1). The model Ecuadorian poison frogs Epipedobates bilinguis and Epipedobates parvulus share a similar warning signal of a bright red-spotted dorsum but differ in axilla and groin colouration (Fig. 1b). Their phylogenetically distant relative 13 , Allobates zaparo, is geographically dimorphic, matching each warning signal where models are parapatric (Fig. 1b). Where the two models co-occur, however, the mimic resembles only a single model (E. bilinguis; Figs 1 and 2). Here we use spectral reflectances, toxicity assays, field abundance measurements and predator learning experiments to investigate mechanisms that may be contributing to this pattern in nature.Theoretical and empirical studies predict that coexistence of aposematic models may lead to (1) batesian polymorphism 6,9,10 , (2) evolution of a mimic phenotype intermed...

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confidence: 96%

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confidence: 99%

Predator learning favours mimicry of a less-toxic model in poison frogs

Darst

Cummings

2006

Nature

156

126

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“…Predator avoidance of the characteristic, brightly coloured banding of neotropical coral snakes (Micrurus, Micruroides) has been demonstrated in field experiments (Brodie 1993;Brodie & Janzen 1995), and appears to be innate in some generalist predatory birds (Smith 1975(Smith , 1977. These snakes form the focus of extensive mimicry rings (Greene & McDiarmid 1981;Brodie & Brodie 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do aposematism and Batesian mimicry require bright colours? A test, using European viper markings

Wüster

Allum

Bjargardóttir

et al. 2004

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

138

143

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Predator avoidance of noxious prey, aposematism and defensive mimicry are normally associated with bright, contrasting patterns and colours. However, noxious prey may be unable to evolve conspicuous coloration because of other selective constraints, such as the need to be inconspicuous to their own prey or to specialist predators. Many venomous snakes, particularly most vipers, display patterns that are apparently cryptic, but nevertheless highly characteristic, and appear to be mimicked by other, non-venomous snakes. However, predator avoidance of viper patterns has never been demonstrated experimentally. Here, the analysis of 813 avian attacks on 12 636 Plasticine snake models in the field shows that models bearing the characteristic zigzag band of the adder (Vipera berus) are attacked significantly less frequently than plain models. This suggests that predator avoidance of inconspicuously but characteristically patterned noxious prey is possible. Our findings emphasize the importance of mimicry in the ecological and morphological diversification of advanced snakes.

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“…We studied these issues in a well-documented Batesian mimicry complex (Greene & McDiarmid 1981;Pfennig et al 2001;Brodie & Brodie 2004;, 2008. We begin by presenting a phylogenetic analysis of colour-pattern evolution, which strongly suggests that mimics evolved from cryptic forms in our study system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-model abundance may permit the gradual evolution of Batesian mimicry: an experimental test

Kikuchi

Pfennig

2009

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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In Batesian mimicry, a harmless species (the 'mimic') resembles a dangerous species (the 'model') and is thus protected from predators. It is often assumed that the mimetic phenotype evolves from a cryptic phenotype, but it is unclear how a population can transition through intermediate phenotypes; such intermediates may receive neither the benefits of crypsis nor mimicry. Here, we ask if selection against intermediates weakens with increasing model abundance. We also ask if mimicry has evolved from cryptic phenotypes in a mimetic clade. We first present an ancestral character-state reconstruction showing that mimicry of a coral snake (Micrurus fulvius) by the scarlet kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides) evolved from a cryptic phenotype. We then evaluate predation rates on intermediate phenotypes relative to cryptic and mimetic phenotypes under conditions of both high-and low-model abundances. Our results indicate that where coral snakes are rare, intermediate phenotypes are attacked more often than cryptic and mimetic phenotypes, indicating the presence of an adaptive valley. However, where coral snakes are abundant, intermediate phenotypes are not attacked more frequently, resulting in an adaptive landscape without a valley. Thus, high-model abundance may facilitate the evolution of Batesian mimicry.

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Coral Snake Mimicry: Does It Occur?

Cited by 170 publications

References 36 publications

Predator learning favours mimicry of a less-toxic model in poison frogs

Predator learning favours mimicry of a less-toxic model in poison frogs

Do aposematism and Batesian mimicry require bright colours? A test, using European viper markings

High-model abundance may permit the gradual evolution of Batesian mimicry: an experimental test

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