Animals Who Use Mimicry

As discussed last week, mimicry is a form of copy-catting that can benefit prey and predator (Ruxton et al., 2004). I also mentioned last week that there are several forms of mimicry, one being Batesian mimicry, where the prey mimics a dangerous organism (Skelhorn & Rowe. 2016). An example of Batesian mimicry, protective or defensive mimicry as it is sometimes known, is the harmless viperine snake (Natrix maura; Santos et al., 2017). This snake has evolved to copy the morphological and behavioural traits of the asp viper (Vipera aspis; Santos et al., 2017). The asp viper is a highly venomous snake found in Southwest Europe, with a dark zigzagging dorsal pattern on a lighter body background (Santos et al., 2017). It also displays head triangulation, coiling body and striking behaviour, all which is copied by the viperine snake. Using mimicry, viperine snakes benefit from the asp viper’s toxicity. Animals will actively avoid both snakes as they cannot usually tell them apart, giving a natural advantage to the viperine (Santos et al., 2017).

asp viper (Vipera aspis)

viperine snake (Natrix maura)

Another Batesian relationship is the spider Myrmecotypus iguazu (I can’t seem to find a common name) and the carpenter ant (Camponotus sericeiventris). Just like the snakes, the spider copies the behaviour and morphology of the carpenter ants (Rubio et al., 2013). The spider evolved a restricted carapace that makes the spider appear to have a segmented body, similar to the carpenter ant (Rubio et al., 2013). It has also developed colouration to mimic the ant with specialised setae (bristles or hair-like structures) making it appear a golden colour. Ants are unpalatable to most animals or live in large groups, and working together defend themselves from larger predators (Rubio et al., 2013). The spider relies on this as a defensive mechanism and slide by untouched.

carpenter ant (Camponotus sericeiventris)

Myrmecotypus iguazu

Another form of mimicry I discussed last week was aggressive mimicry. This is when a predator uses mimicry to get increased access to their prey (Ruxton et al., 2004). Let’s look at the weird and wonderful anglerfish. It uses an extended dorsal fin, that is flexible with a fleshy part on the end (Edgehouse & Brown, 2014). In some cases, such as the deep-sea anglerfish, the fleshy part has a bioluminescent bacterial which illuminates it (Pietsch & Grobecker, 1978). The anglerfish uses this extended dorsal fin to literally lure its prey to it, while it remains completely stationary (Pietsch & Grobecker, 1978).

References

Edgehouse M., & Brown C. (2014). Predatory Luring Behaviour of Odonates. Journal of Insect Science. 14(1), 1-3.

Pietsch T., & Grobecker D. (1978). The Compleat Angler: Aggressive Mimicry in an Antennariid Anglerfish. Science. 201(4353), 369-370.

Rubio G., Arbino M., & Cushing P. (2013). Ant Mimicry in the Spider Myrmecotypus iguazu (Araneae: Corinnidae), With Myrmecomorphy in Spiders. The Journal of Arachnology. 41, 395-399.

Ruxton G., Sherratt T., & Speed M. (2004). Avoiding Attack: The Evolutionary Ecology of Crypsis, Warning Signals and Mimicry. Oxford University Press. Oxford, United Kingdom.

Santos X., Azor J., Cortes S., Rodriguez E., Larios J., & Pleguezuelos J. (2017). Ecological Significance of Dorsal Polymorphism in a Batesian Mimic Snake. Current Zoology. 64(6), 745-753.

Skelhorn J., & Rowe C. (2016). Cognition and the Evolution of Camouflage. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B. 283(1825), 20152890.