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The evolution of multicomponent mimicry.

Daniel W Franks1, Thomas N Sherratt

  • 1Department of Biology, York Centre for Complex Systems Analysis, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK. df525@york.ac.uk

Journal of Theoretical Biology
|October 31, 2006
PubMed
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Mimicry research explores evolutionary change, questioning gradualism. A new model shows gradual mimicry evolution is unlikely with more signal components, favoring a two-step hypothesis.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Theoretical ecology
  • Behavioral ecology

Background:

  • The debate on mutation size (macromutationism vs. micromutationism) and evolutionary tempo (gradual vs. punctuated) is central to evolutionary theory.
  • Müllerian mimicry, where unpalatable species share warning signals, provides a model system to study these evolutionary processes.
  • Previous models have explored gradual evolutionary change in mimicry along a single dimension.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To extend existing models of mimicry evolution by incorporating predator generalization across multiple signal components.
  • To investigate the likelihood of gradual evolutionary change in mimicry with increasing signal complexity.
  • To evaluate the applicability of the two-step hypothesis (punctuated evolution followed by gradual refinement) to Müllerian mimicry.

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Main Methods:

  • Development of a novel mathematical model simulating Müllerian mimicry evolution.
  • Inclusion of predator generalization across multiple components of the warning signal.
  • Analysis of model outcomes under varying numbers of signal components and levels of predator generalization.

Main Results:

  • Gradual evolution of mimicry becomes less probable as the number of signal components increases, unless predators generalize broadly.
  • The two-step hypothesis (punctuated followed by gradual evolution) successfully explains Müllerian mimicry evolution across all tested scenarios.
  • While gradual mimicry evolution is possible, the two-step hypothesis demonstrates broader applicability.

Conclusions:

  • The complexity of warning signals significantly impacts the mode of mimicry evolution.
  • Predator generalization plays a crucial role in facilitating gradual evolutionary change in mimicry.
  • The two-step hypothesis offers a more robust explanation for the evolution of Müllerian mimicry compared to purely gradual models.