Mimicry and camouflage By: Kyle Rellinger

video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB7tqiL-Eqs

Mimicry and Camouflage Prey species have evolved numerous defense mechanisms Cryptic coloration includes colors and patterns that allow prey to blend into the background Some animals are protectively colored, blending into the background of their normal environment Object resemblance is common among insects For example stick bugs resemble twigs on a tree

Why use mimicry and camouflage? Live longer in order to grow old enough to reproduce Therefore increase species longevity & pass on survival traits to offspring Camouflage to catch prey Camouflage to hide from predator Protect young or eggs

Mimicry The close external resemblance of an organism, the mimic, to some different organism, the model, such that the mimic benefits from the mistaken identity, as seeming to be unpalatable or harmful

Types of mimicry Batesian Mimicry Mullerian Mimicry Self-mimicry Aggressive Mimicry

1. Batesian mimicry Batesian mimicry is named for Henry Walter Bates, a scientist who studied mimicry in Amazonian butterflies Batesian mimicry refers to two or more species that are similar in appearance, but only one of which is dangerous

Batesian mimicry

2. Muellerian mimicry Muellerian mimicry is named for Fritz Mueller, a zoologist who worked in the Amazon after Bates This form of mimicry refers to 2 not pleasant tasting species That are mimics of each other with conspicuous warning coloration Thus all mimics share the benefits of the coloration since the predator will recognize the coloration of a group after a few bad experiences

Muellerian mimicry

3. Self-mimicry Self-mimicry is a misleading term for animals that have one body part that mimics another to increase survival during an attack or helps predators appear innocuous For example, countless moth, butterfly, and freshwater fish species have "eye-spots” large dark markings that when flashed may momentarily startle a predator and allow the prey extra seconds to escape

Self-mimicry

4. Aggressive mimicry Aggressive mimicry is a type of mimicry that a predator will mimic a prey to catch another predator For example: a snapping turtles tongue mimics a worm so fish will come close to try to eat it and then the fish will be eaten by the snapping turtle

Aggressive mimicry

Why not just produce own means of protection? Small creatures have evolved toxic chemicals to avoid being eaten These toxic creatures are brightly colored to warn there predators because eating the small creature could make the predator very sick They do this because it saves energy on the production of the toxins

Warning coloration Animals that are toxic to predators or use other chemical defenses often possess warning colors Some animals living in the same habitats with inedible species sometimes evolve a coloration that mimics the warning coloration of the toxic species

Survival Mimicry and camouflage is vital for many species to survive and prevent from becoming extinct For example some butterflies will mimic the coloration of a monarch butterfly because the color tells animals that it will taste bad Thus this ensures longer survival for the animal and a higher chance of it being able to reproduce

Camouflage Camouflage is any evolved resemblance of an organism to its physical background causing it to be overlooked by predators or prey

Camouflage A completely different approach for deception is camouflage, whereby animals seek to look inanimate or inedible to avoid detection by predators and prey There are many examples of rainforest species which are cryptically colored to match their surroundings WHERE DID THAT FISH GO?

Camouflage Katydids are nocturnal insects which use their cryptic coloration to remain unnoticed during the day when they are inactive They remain perfectly still, often in a position that makes them blend in even better

Camouflage Some species appear to have conspicuous coloration when they are not in the proper surroundings For example among the brilliant butterflies of the forest, the magnificent electric blue Morpho, has iridescent blue upper wings However, because the under wings are dark, when the Morpho flies through the flickering light of the forest or even out in broad daylight, it seems to disappear

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Evolution These organisms developed these adaptations of mimicry and camouflage through the process of evolution Over time species have learned what animals to avoid and through this process specific species have learned to mimic these animals

Differences Camouflage Mimicry - when an animal blends with in one environment - trying to look like something else that has an evolutionary advantage

Similarities Reduce the chance of being spotted by either predator or prey Both occurred because of gradual evolution

Biography internet N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. <http://entomology.cornell.edu/cals/entomology/extension/outreach/upload/JohannaKatzT eacherGuide-Crypsis-Mimicry.pdf>. "THE ARTS OF DECEPTION: MIMICRY AND CAMOUFLAGE." Mongabay.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. <http://rainforests.mongabay.com/0306.htm>. "Insect Camouflage and Mimicry - National Zoo| FONZ." Insect Camouflage and Mimicry - National Zoo| FONZ. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. <http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/invertebrates/facts/insects/camouflage.cfm>. "Mimicry and Camouflage." BioEd Online from Baylor College of Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. <http://www.bioedonline.org/lessons/mimicry-camouflage.cfm>."Deceptive Coloration." - NatureWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep2a.htm>. "Mimicry, Camouflage and Deceptive Behavior." Mimicry, Camouflage and Deceptive Behavior. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. <http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_insects/Mimicry.htm>. "Camouflage and Mimicry: The Art of Disguise." Scienceray RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. http://scienceray.com/biology/zoology/camouflage-and-mimicry-the-art-of-disguise/ "Mimicry (biology)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/383252/mimicry>.

Biography books Biology 11. [Don Mills, Ont.]: Pearson Education Canada, 2002. Print. Campbell, A. Malcolm., and Laurie J. Heyer. Discovering Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics. San Francisco: CSHL, 2007. Print. " 9780536244901. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. <http://www.booksprice.com/9780536244901>.

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