On the definition of mimicry

Vane‐Wright, R. I.

doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.1980.tb00066.x

Cited by 130 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…In this phenomenon, which has also been termed special resemblance (Cott 1957) or masquerade (Endler 1981), the animal evolves a detailed likeness to some specific, local feature of its envi-ronment (Edmunds 1990, Robinson 1969, Vane-Wright 1980. Pattern mimicry has produced some of the most spectacular examples of protective coloration, such as stick caterpillars (de Ruiter 1952), leaf-mimicking katydids (Castner & Nickle 1995), and leafy seadragons (Connolly et al 2002).…”

Section: Components Of Crypticitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Evolution of Color Polymorphism: Crypticity, Searching Images, and Apostatic Selection

Bond

2007

Annu. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst.

254

261

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The development and maintenance of color polymorphism in cryptic prey species is a source of enduring fascination, in part because it appears to result from selective processes operating across multiple levels of analysis, ranging from cognitive psychology to population ecology. Since the 1960s, prey species with diverse phenotypes have been viewed as the evolved reflection of the perceptual and cognitive characteristics of their predators. Because it is harder to search simultaneously for two or more cryptic prey types than to search for only one, visual predators should tend to focus on the most abundant forms and effectively overlook the others. The result should be frequency-dependent, apostatic selection, which will tend to stabilize the prey polymorphism. Validating this elegant hypothesis has been difficult, and many details have been established only relatively recently. This review clarifies the argument for a perceptual selective mechanism and examines the relevant experimental evidence.

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Section: Components Of Crypticitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Evolution of Color Polymorphism: Crypticity, Searching Images, and Apostatic Selection

Bond

2007

Annu. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst.

254

261

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“…These predators tap into existing sensory and perceptual biases in their prey, exploiting their tendency to approach certain stimuli. When the lure resembles another organism and solicits a similar response, the luring tactic is called 'aggressive mimicry' [1,2]. Some aggressive mimics, especially those exploiting sexual signals, are highly specific (sensu [3]), bearing close resemblance to a readily identifiable model.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assassin bug uses aggressive mimicry to lure spider prey

Wignall

Taylor

2010

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Assassin bugs (Stenolemus bituberus) hunt web-building spiders by invading the web and plucking the silk to generate vibrations that lure the resident spider into striking range. To test whether vibrations generated by bugs aggressively mimic the vibrations generated by insect prey, we compared the responses of spiders to bugs with how they responded to prey, courting male spiders and leaves falling into the web. We also analysed the associated vibrations. Similar spider orientation and approach behaviours were observed in response to vibrations from bugs and prey, whereas different behaviours were observed in response to vibrations from male spiders and leaves. Peak frequency and duration of vibrations generated by bugs were similar to those generated by prey and courting males. Further, vibrations from bugs had a temporal structure and amplitude that were similar to vibrations generated by leg and body movements of prey and distinctly different to vibrations from courting males or leaves, or prey beating their wings. To be an effective predator, bugs do not need to mimic the full range of prey vibrations. Instead bugs are general mimics of a subset of prey vibrations that fall within the range of vibrations classified by spiders as 'prey'.

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“…Mimicry, as de¢ned by Vane-Wright (1980),`involves an organism (the mimic) which simulates signal properties of a second living organism (the model) which are perceived as signals of interest by a third living organism (the operator), such that the mimic gains in ¢tness as a result of the operator identifying it as an example of the model ' (p. 4). Several social parasites use mimicry for exploiting their hosts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parasites and supernormal manipulation

Holen

Sætre

Slagsvold

et al. 2001

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

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Social parasites may exploit their hosts by mimicking other organisms that the hosts normally bene¢t from investing in or responding to in some other way. Some parasites exaggerate key characters of the organisms they mimic, possibly in order to increase the response from the hosts. The huge gape and extreme begging intensity of the parasitic common cuckoo chick (Cuculus canorus) may be an example. In this paper, the evolutionary stability of manipulating hosts through exaggerated signals is analysed using game theory. Our model indicates that a parasite's signal intensity must be below a certain threshold in order to ensure acceptance and that this threshold depends directly on the rate of parasitism. The only evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) combination is when hosts accept all signallers and parasites signal at their optimal signal intensity, which must be below the threshold. Supernormal manipulation by parasites is only evolutionarily stable under su¤ciently low rates of parasitism. If the conditions for the ESS combination are not satis¢ed, rejector hosts can invade using signal intensity as a cue for identifying parasites. These qualitative predictions are discussed with respect to empirical evidence from parasitic mimicry systems that have been suggested to involve supernormal signalling, including evicting avian brood parasites and insect-mimicking Ophrys orchids.

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On the definition of mimicry

Cited by 130 publications

References 15 publications

The Evolution of Color Polymorphism: Crypticity, Searching Images, and Apostatic Selection

The Evolution of Color Polymorphism: Crypticity, Searching Images, and Apostatic Selection

Assassin bug uses aggressive mimicry to lure spider prey

Parasites and supernormal manipulation

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