Mimicry

Introduction ** Mimicry is one of several anti-predatory devices found in nature. Specifically it is a situation in which one species called the **//mimic//** resembles in color, form, and/or behavior another species called the **//model//**. In so doing, the mimic acquires some survival advantage.
 * Mimicry **
 * Source **: []
 * Gail Corey and William Sumner ** Woodrow Wilson Biology Institute1995 
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There are 2 basic forms of mimicry: 1. Batesian - the mimic (palatable) resembles the model (unpalatable) and only the mimic benefits. 2. Mullerian - both the mimic and the model are unpalatable and both benefit.

Batesian mimicry is most effective when the mimic is rare and its emergence follows that of the model. In Mullerian mimicry as density increases so does the adaptive value. Since mimicry provides potential survival value, the mimic with an adaptation that increases the likelihood of surviving is selected. Natural selection of these favorable variations has led to the coevolution of many species. The distinction among camouflage (cryptic coloration), warning coloration, and mimicry is not always clear. Mimicry, as opposed to camouflage and warning coloration, is specifically the resemblance between two organisms. The same techniques of deception are sometimes utilized in all three anti-predatory devices. These include variations in color, pattern, and structure. Student Objectives ** 1. To be able to explain the relationship between adaptation and ability for survival and reproduction. 2. To be able to give examples of a series of adaptations that would support the idea that evolution is a series of minor changes. 3. To be able to compare and contrast adaptations involving camouflage, warning coloration, and mimicry. 4. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">To be able to understand and explain the two basic types of mimicry adaptation: Batesian and Mullerian. Vocabulary **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Mimicry, evolution, natural selection, adaptation, camouflage, warning coloration
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**//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Visual //**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> **//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Odor //** **//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Artificial Selection //** This activity is designed to simulate mimicry in nature. Various assorted materials can be used to represent prey. Students represent predators. Materials used to represent prey should be edible and should come in varying colors. Choose two colors that most closely match to represent the mimic and the model. Select one of these colors and alter its taste by placing in an unpleasant substance such as Tabasco or concentrated lemon extract. This one will represent the model and the closely matching color not treated with an unpleasant substance will represent the mimic. Suggested Materials //**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Fruit Loops/Cheerios(whole grain)/ Gummy Savers (120-150 assorted colors/class of 20) Tabasco/Concentrated lemon juice/ Worcestershire sauce Preparation and Procedure //**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * Examples of Mimicry**
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">monarch and viceroy butterflies (see Fig. 48.13 in Curtis, Barnes. 1989. //Biology,// 5th Ed.)
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">yellow jacket and sand wasp (see Fig. 48.15 in above reference)
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">syrphid fly and honey bee (see Fig. 48.11 in Campbell. 1987. //Biology//)
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">coral snake and colubrid snake (see plates I and II in Pough. //Mimicry of Vertebrates;// pp. 67-95)
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">cuckoo and various host birds (an example of egg mimicry)
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">red-backed salamander and red salamander
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">poison-fang blenny and //Ecsenius// blenny
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gold-of-pleasure plant and the flax plant
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">mantid (insectivorous) and orchid (see Fig. 8 in Wickler. 1968. //Mimicry in Plants and Animals//)
 * 10) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ophrys (orchids) and female of some species
 * 11) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pipe-vine swallowtail butterfly and spice-bush swallowtail
 * 12) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">caterpillars and catkins (see Geographica section of Oct. 89 //National Geographic//)
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">caterpillar and //Myrmica// ant (see Earth Almanac section of Dec. 91 National Geographic)
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">spider and red ant of Florida
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Student Activity **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Teacher needs to prepare the unpleasant materials sufficiently in advance to allow materials to become thoroughly dry. (If using cereal, place other pieces in water briefly and allow to dry).
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">On day of activity spread 120-150 of materials chosen on clean tray or table top in random fashion. Record number of each different colored "prey" at beginning of activity.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Have each student come to materials and select any one of their choice and return with it to their seat.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">After all students have returned to their seats, have them eat the piece selected. (Caution students to not reveal any aspect of what they experience.)
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Repeat steps three and four an additional four or five rounds.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Record colors and numbers of different "prey" remaining.
 * //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Follow-up Discussion //**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What colors remain and in what proportion? Explain these results.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">How might this exercise relate to organisms in nature?
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What method of evading predators does this activity illustrate?
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Give actual examples from nature that this activity simulated.