Mimicry

Mimicry is the evolutionary resemblance of one organism to another organism or to an inanimate object, produced to gain an advantage such as avoiding predators, deceiving prey, or enhancing mating success. It operates through natural selection when similar appearances or signals improve an organism’s fitness.

Defensive mimicry includes several forms. Batesian mimicry occurs when a harmless species imitates a harmful or unpalatable model to deter predators. The viceroy butterfly has long been cited as a classic example imitating the monarch, although the exact dynamics can vary by population. Müllerian mimicry occurs when two or more unpalatable or dangerous species share a common warning pattern, reinforcing predator avoidance more efficiently; in many tropical butterflies, for example, several unpalatable species converge on similar color patterns.

Mertensian mimicry refers to a distinct arrangement in which a highly dangerous species resembles an even more dangerous model, so predators learn to avoid it after encountering easier prey; this concept has been debated and studied in ecological context.

Aggressive mimicry describes situations where a predator or parasite mimics a harmless or attractive signal to approach or manipulate its prey or host. Classic examples include predators that lure prey with deceptive signals, such as certain anglerfish that use a light lure, or some snakes and cephalopods that exploit resemblance to harmless cues.

History and scope: The idea of mimicry emerged in the 19th century with Henry Walter Bates and was expanded by Fritz Müller, who coined Müllerian mimicry. Paul Mertens later described Mertensian mimicry, a concept that highlights the diversity of mimicry strategies across taxa. Mimicry remains a central topic in evolutionary biology and ecology.