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
1)Batesian Mimicry
2)Mullerian Mimicry
3)Self-mimicry
4)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
Pictures
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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/JohannaKatzTeacherGuide-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>.
The end
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