Mullerian Mimicry - Study.com.pdf

Student: Transcript: Mullerian Mimicry | Definition, Evolution & Examples https://study.com/academy/lesson/mullerian-mimicry-definition-examples-quiz.html Learn about Müllerian mimicry. Explore the defining characte...

Student: Transcript: Mullerian Mimicry | Definition, Evolution & Examples https://study.com/academy/lesson/mullerian-mimicry-definition-examples-quiz.html Learn about Müllerian mimicry. Explore the defining characteristics of Müllerian mimicry and discover the difference between Batesian and Müllerian mimicry. Definition of Mullerian Mimicry What do you think of when you see a brightly colored insect or animal? Although the markings might be pretty or unusual, your instinct might be to stay away from these creatures (just think of your reaction to the yellow jacket of a bumblebee!) These colorations are often designed to protect animals from the dangers around them. As humans, when we see signs in bright yellow or red, our minds instinctively tell us to pay attention, stop, or think with caution. Insects and other animals with bright colors or certain patterns use this same idea to their advantage to warn those that might harm them. Mullerian mimicry occurs in nature when two or more harmful species look very similar in order to ward off potential predators. This is very advantageous to animals as a means of protection. If animals that resemble one another are all known to be poisonous or dangerous, they will have a significant advantage because predators will quickly learn to avoid them. Examples of Mullerian Mimicry One common example of Mullerian mimicry can be seen in species of butterflies. H. erato and H. melpomene are two different species of butterflies that exhibit Mullerian mimicry. Both of them have evolved to have mostly black bodies and wings, but they have a similar pattern of red-orange dots and markings on their wings. Both of these species of butterflies have a taste that is very undesirable to predators. Their bad taste is derived from the food that their caterpillar form eats before they undergo metamorphosis and become butterflies. Since both of these species have the same bad taste, most predators will need to only try one to learn to avoid the other. If you have ever eaten at a restaurant and had a bad meal and decided to avoid the restaurant altogether, it would be similar to predators avoiding all butterflies that have this coloration. Another example of Mullerian mimicry can be found in the poison dart frogs of South America and Madagascar. Poison frogs of the Dendrobates genus are known to secrete poison onto their skin as a means of protection. The poison is produced and derived from insects consumed in their native habitats. Although these frogs range all over the South American continent and parts of Madagascar, many of them have very similar coloration. Most of them are marvelously colored showing bright yellow, green, and blue, and some have elaborate striped patterns. All of this coloration serves as a warning sign for any predators. Once a predator tries to consume or attack one of the frogs, they will be more likely to leave all of the brightly colored frogs alone. It's also no coincidence that when we see a brightly colored wasp, yellow-jacket, or bumblebee flying towards us we get nervous. Our minds tell us there is danger. Many of us have felt that painful sting that they can deliver. The bright All of these butterflies of the genus Heliconius use Mullerian mimicry. coloration of these stinging insects is a great example of Mullerian mimicry as well. It tells us and other predators that there is danger in messing with these creatures and to avoid them. Lesson Summary Mullerian Mimicry is when two or more species that are harmful to eat look alike so as to ward off their common predators as a whole. By having the warning coloration of a large group, these animals The bright coloration of these poison dart frogs serve as a warning to increase their chances of being recognized by leave all brightly colored frogs alone. predators and being left alone. It's important to note that in Mullerian mimicry all of the animals involved are hazardous or distasteful to their predators to some degree. They just end up spreading the message of danger through coloration.