Co-mimics have a mutualistic relationship despite unequal defences

Hannah M. Rowland (), Eira Ihalainen, Leena Lindström, Johanna Mappes and Michael P. Speed
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Hannah M. Rowland: School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
Eira Ihalainen: University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä University, Finland
Leena Lindström: University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä University, Finland
Johanna Mappes: University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä University, Finland
Michael P. Speed: School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK

Nature, 2007, vol. 448, issue 7149, 64-67

Abstract: Just a mimic Defensive mimicry, where species have evolved to resemble others in order to evade predators, is quite common in the animal kingdom. The two extremes of the mimicry spectrum are known as 'batesian' and 'müllerian'. Batesian mimics develop signals — visual cues for instance — that are similar to those of species being mimicked, but stop short of adopting the attribute that makes it unprofitable prey to predators. Müllerian mimics both resemble the model species and share the anti-predation attribute — by being dangerous or unpalatable. These different types of mimic were identified a century ago, but the dynamics of mimicry between unequally defended prey remain unresolved. In an experiment designed as a direct test of the various competing theories, Rowland et al. demonstrate that both types of mimicry can be beneficial for both parties. The lab-based 'novel world' experiment pitted artificial prey (pieces of almond wrapped in paper) against real predators (great tits). Unequally defended mimics — including those that are edible — gained survival benefits from their association with one another. This goes against the commonly accepted idea that a moderately defended species might dilute the protection of a better defended one, so changes to the textbooks and a few Wikipedia entries may be in order.

Date: 2007
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DOI: 10.1038/nature05899

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