The evolution of imperfect mimicry

Sherratt, Thomas N.

doi:10.1093/beheco/13.6.821

Cited by 211 publications

(204 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…However, variation in the degree of resemblance is common in nature, with the maintenance of imperfect mimicry now thought to arise through a variety of evolutionary mechanisms, including selective trade-offs (e.g. [2,3]) and mutation -selection balance [4] (see [5] for review). Signal detection theory predicts that once the mimic achieves a certain degree of resemblance to its model, sufficient to reduce the motivation of the signal receiver to respond, then further selection to improve similarity may not be present [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[2,3]) and mutation -selection balance [4] (see [5] for review). Signal detection theory predicts that once the mimic achieves a certain degree of resemblance to its model, sufficient to reduce the motivation of the signal receiver to respond, then further selection to improve similarity may not be present [4]. This critical degree of resemblance required to afford protection may well depend on a variety of factors, including the local specific mimic/model ratio.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it is currently unclear how much, if any, of the phenotypic variation arises as a consequence of differential selection on the degree of mimicry, as predicted by general signal detection theory (e.g. [4]). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Frequency-dependent variation in mimetic fidelity in an intraspecific mimicry system

et al. 2011

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Contemporary theory predicts that the degree of mimetic similarity of mimics towards their model should increase as the mimic/model ratio increases. Thus, when the mimic/model ratio is high, then the mimic has to resemble the model very closely to still gain protection from the signal receiver. To date, empirical evidence of this effect is limited to a single example where mimicry occurs between species. Here, for the first time, we test whether mimetic fidelity varies with mimic/model ratios in an intraspecific mimicry system, in which signal receivers are the same species as the mimics and models. To this end, we studied a polymorphic damselfly with a single male phenotype and two female morphs, in which one morph resembles the male phenotype while the other does not. Phenotypic similarity of males to both female morphs was quantified using morphometric data for multiple populations with varying mimic/model ratios repeated over a 3 year period. Our results demonstrate that male-like females were overall closer in size to males than the other female morph. Furthermore, the extent of morphological similarity between male-like females and males, measured as Mahalanobis distances, was frequency-dependent in the direction predicted. Hence, this study provides direct quantitative support for the prediction that the mimetic similarity of mimics to their models increases as the mimic/model ratio increases. We suggest that the phenomenon may be widespread in a range of mimicry systems.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Frequency-dependent variation in mimetic fidelity in an intraspecific mimicry system

et al. 2011

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“…It is evident that the accuracy of mimicry (up to a certain level) increases the probability that a predator mistakes harmless mimics for dangerous models and thus refrains from attack (e.g. Rowland, Ihalainen, Lindström, Mappes, & Speed, 2007; Sherratt, 2002). It can therefore be expected that better copies of venomous model species were better protected from natural predation and selected for by natural selection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the potential for evolutionary mismatch in Batesian mimics: A case study in the endangered smooth snake (Coronella austriaca)

Valkonen

Mäkelä

Mappes

et al. 2018

Evolutionary Applications

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Many harmless organisms gain a survival advantage by mimicking venomous species. This is the case of the endangered smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), which mimics venomous vipers. Although this may protect the smooth snake against most of its natural predators, it may render them at greater risk of mortality from humans, who are more inclined to kill species, such as vipers, that they consider dangerous. This may cause an evolutionary mismatch, whereby humans may counteract the natural advantage of mimicry. We explore this possibility of evaluating the willingness of humans to kill smooth snakes versus the adder (Vipera berus), as well as their ability to discern them in the Åland Islands. Our results show that, even when respondents did not wish to kill the smooth snakes, these were often mistaken for adders, which they were willing to kill. Altogether, viper mimicry brought about a 2.3‐fold increase in the likelihood of smooth snakes being killed upon human encounter. These results open up the possibility that naturally selected mimicry can pose a threat to endangered snakes in human‐influenced habitats. We discuss the potential for this to be the case, and highlight the importance of protecting entire mimicry complexes, rather than single species, when the endangered species is a mimic.

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“…One explanation focuses on the selective pressures on the mimic when many models exist in the same area. When multiple models are present within a mimic's geographic distribution, mimics may be selected by predators to either resemble only one model or, if the models are not sympatric with each other, the mimics can adopt an intermediate phenotype (Edmunds, 2000; Sherratt, 2002). If just one model is present, selection is expected to drive mimics toward signal identity with the defended model (Ruxton et al., 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity of warning signal and social interaction influences the evolution of imperfect mimicry

Bosque

Lawrence

Buchholz

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Mimicry, the resemblance of one species by another, is a complex phenomenon where the mimic (Batesian mimicry) or the model and the mimic (Mullerian mimicry) gain an advantage from this phenotypic convergence. Despite the expectation that mimics should closely resemble their models, many mimetic species appear to be poor mimics. This is particularly apparent in some systems in which there are multiple available models. However, the influence of model pattern diversity on the evolution of mimetic systems remains poorly understood. We tested whether the number of model patterns a predator learns to associate with a negative consequence affects their willingness to try imperfect, novel patterns. We exposed week‐old chickens to coral snake (Micrurus) color patterns representative of three South American areas that differ in model pattern richness, and then tested their response to the putative imperfect mimetic pattern of a widespread species of harmless colubrid snake (Oxyrhopus rhombifer) in different social contexts. Our results indicate that chicks have a great hesitation to attack when individually exposed to high model pattern diversity and a greater hesitation to attack when exposed as a group to low model pattern diversity. Individuals with a fast growth trajectory (measured by morphological traits) were also less reluctant to attack. We suggest that the evolution of new patterns could be favored by social learning in areas of low pattern diversity, while individual learning can reduce predation pressure on recently evolved mimics in areas of high model diversity. Our results could aid the development of ecological predictions about the evolution of imperfect mimicry and mimicry in general.

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The evolution of imperfect mimicry

Cited by 211 publications

References 32 publications

Frequency-dependent variation in mimetic fidelity in an intraspecific mimicry system

Frequency-dependent variation in mimetic fidelity in an intraspecific mimicry system

Evaluating the potential for evolutionary mismatch in Batesian mimics: A case study in the endangered smooth snake (Coronella austriaca)

Diversity of warning signal and social interaction influences the evolution of imperfect mimicry

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