1. Batesian Mimicry: This is where a harmless species evolves to resemble a harmful one. The harmless mimic benefits by deterring predators who have learned to avoid the dangerous model.
* Example: The viceroy butterfly mimics the monarch butterfly. Monarchs are poisonous to birds, while viceroys are not. Birds that have learned to avoid monarchs will also avoid viceroys.
2. Müllerian Mimicry: Here, two or more harmful species evolve to resemble each other. This benefits both species because predators learn to avoid them faster, with fewer casualties.
* Example: Several species of venomous wasps have similar black and yellow stripes. This shared warning coloration makes predators more likely to avoid them all, even if they haven't encountered each specific species before.
Why does this happen?
Evolution is driven by natural selection. Individuals that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits. In the case of mimicry, the resemblance to a dangerous animal helps the mimic survive encounters with predators. This gives them a better chance to reproduce, ensuring the survival of their genes.
Examples of harmless animals resembling harmful animals:
* Hoverflies: These harmless flies mimic the appearance of wasps, with black and yellow stripes.
* Harmless snakes: Some non-venomous snakes mimic the coloration and patterns of venomous snakes.
* Viceroy butterflies: As mentioned earlier, these butterflies mimic monarch butterflies, which are poisonous.
* Flower mantises: These insects resemble flowers to lure unsuspecting prey.
Mimicry is a beautiful example of the intricate relationships and adaptations found in nature. It's a testament to the power of evolution to shape species in amazing ways.