Mimicry among Unequally Defended Prey Should Be Mutualistic When Predators Sample Optimally.

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Behavioral Ecology
• Predator-Prey Dynamics

Background:

• Warning signals in prey evolve to deter predators.
• Mimicry, where less defended prey resemble better-defended species, is a key evolutionary strategy.
• The nature of mimicry (parasitic or mutualistic) depends on predator behavior and prey profitability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the evolutionary conditions for mimicry between moderately and highly defended prey.
• To compare predator learning models (Pavlovian) with optimal foraging strategies in predicting mimicry outcomes.
• To determine when mimicry is parasitic (quasi-Batesian) versus mutualistic (Müllerian).

Main Methods:

• Developed a model of optimal predator sampling strategies considering prey profitability.
• Contrasted predictions from optimal sampling with classical Pavlovian conditioning models.
• Analyzed the impact of moderately defended mimics on predator consumption and prey mortality.

Main Results:

• Both models show increased consumption when unprofitable mimics are present.
• Optimal foraging models predict a dilution effect, reducing mortality despite increased consumption.
• Quasi-Batesian mimicry is predicted to be rare unless mimics are profitable for hungry predators.

Conclusions:

• Predator foraging efficiency and long-term payoff maximization influence mimicry evolution.
• Genuine quasi-Batesian mimicry is likely rare due to a net decrease in predator-induced mortality.
• Moderately defended mimics can be parasitic if profitable for hungry predators, aligning with Batesian mimicry principles.