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Evasive mimicry: when (if ever) could mimicry based on difficulty of capture evolve?
G D Ruxton1, M Speed, T N Sherratt
1Division of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, IBLS, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK. g.ruxton@bio.gla.ac.uk
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|October 12, 2004
Summary
Predators may evolve to mimic evasive prey, a concept known as evasive Batesian mimicry. Evasive Mullerian mimicry occurs when multiple edible species evolve to resemble each other, signaling difficulty of capture.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Mimicry describes species resembling each other, typically for protection.
- Evasive Batesian and Mullerian mimicry involve edible prey mimicking difficult-to-catch prey.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine conditions favoring evasive Batesian mimicry.
- To identify conditions favoring evasive Mullerian mimicry.
- To assess the prevalence of these mimicry forms in nature.
Main Methods:
- Mathematical modeling was employed to analyze evolutionary dynamics.
- Two complementary models were developed to explore mimicry scenarios.
Main Results:
- Both evasive Batesian and Mullerian mimicry are theoretically possible.
- Prevalence is limited by factors such as predator pursuit costs, prey encounter rates, and alternative prey availability.
- Specific conditions favor each mimicry type: Batesian mimicry benefits from high predator costs and mimic rarity, while Mullerian mimicry is favored by prey abundance differences and slow predator learning.
Conclusions:
- Evasive mimicry is logically possible but likely rare in natural settings.
- Further empirical research is crucial to validate these theoretical models and identify field examples.
- Selection for signaling difficulty of capture requires robust evidence.