Introduction to Mimicry Presented by: Sean Brady Matthew Forte Michael Mourouzis Lenora Overstreet Dana Wilson

Introduction Mimicry refers to the similarities between species. Mimicry is a form of symbiosis where a species may mimic the colors, patterns, or even behavior of another species for one of two reasons.

Introduction 1. either to be able to get closer to unsuspecting prey or … 2. in the case of a harmless species to gain protection by imitating a predator or poisonous species.

Introduction Comparing mimicry with camouflage or deceptive behavior, protection by mimicry is the most cost effective. The mimicking species does not have to change its behavior or stay against a safe background to disguise itself.

Introduction It can go about its daily life without extra protections. There are several described forms of mimicry utilized by both predator and prey:

Different Types of Mimicry Batesian mimicry Muellerian mimicry Wasmannian mimicry Peckhamian mimicry Self-mimicry

Batesian Mimicry refers to two or more species that are similar in appearance, but only one of which is armed with spines, stingers, or toxic chemistry, while it’s apparent that the double lacks these traits

Batesian Mimicry The second species has no defense other than resembling the unpalatable species and is afforded protection from certain predators by its resemblance to the unpalatable species, which the predator associates with a certain appearance and a bad experience.

Muellerian Mimicry Refers to two unpalatable species that are mimics of each other with conspicuous common coloration.

Muellerian Mimicry All mimics share the benefits of the coloration since the predator will recognize the coloration of an unpalatable group after a few bad experiences.

Muellerian Mimicry I swear I don't stink! Since several species have the same appearance to the predator, the loss of life will be spread out over several species, reducing the impact on each individual species I swear I don't stink!

Muellerian Mimicry Who is mimicking who? An example of such Muellerian mimicry in Collembola is the mimicry of Sminthurus viridis and an aphid species Who is mimicking who?

Wasmannian Mimicry This is when the mimic resembles its host in order to live within the same nest or structure. For example, several jumping spiders closely resemble ants.

I should have listened in AP Biology! Wasmannian Mimicry This works well in order to get "lost in the crowd" and thus avoid predators. I should have listened in AP Biology!

Peckhamian Mimicry This is also known as aggressive mimicry, in which the predator mimics its prey to capture it.

Self-mimicry This refers to species that have one body part that mimics another to increase survival during an attack or helps predators appear innocuous to allow the prey extra seconds to escape.

Conclusion Have you ever been tricked by something that was fake? List examples in your notes…..

Conclusion Sometimes we think sparkly jewels are diamonds, but they are really just glass.

Conclusion Other times we believe that our baseball card is signed by our favorite player, but it is only a copy.

Conclusion As we have learned through this discussion, animals can make copies too. Can you list some of the examples we talked about in this lesson? Please do so in your notes at this point.

Conclusion Some copies are so good that we don't know that they aren't the real thing. Smaller, weaker animals have to imitate stronger animals to stay alive. Can you list some examples that we have discussed? Please do so in your notes.

Conclusion As we have learned, these "copycats" are called MIMICS. If insects or other less powerful animals can trick their predators into thinking they are a different animal by the sounds they make, or the colors on their body, they just might survive a little longer.