The evolution of imperfect floral mimicry.

Ecological and Evolutionary Processes Drive the Origin and Maintenance of Imperfect Mimicry

Although the forces behind the evolution of imperfect mimicry remain poorly studied, recent hypotheses suggest that relaxed selection on small-bodied individuals leads to imperfect mimicry. While evolutionary history undoubtedly affects the development of imperfect mimicry, ecological community context has largely been ignored and may be an important driver of imperfect mimicry. Here we investi...

The effect of alternative prey on the dynamics of imperfect Batesian and Müllerian mimicries.

Both Batesian and Müllerian mimicries are considered classical evidence of natural selection where predation pressure has, at times, created a striking similarity between unrelated prey species. Batesian mimicry, in which palatable mimics resemble unpalatable aposematic species, is parasitic and only beneficial to the mimics. By contrast, in classical Müllerian mimicry the cost of predators' av...

Floral evolution as a figment of the imagination of pollinators.

Schaefer and Ruxton recently reviewed the mechanisms involved in plant deception, with an emphasis on pollination [1]. They proposed that generalised food deception evolves if plants exploit the innate preferences of pollinators, and thus represents a form of exploitation of perceptual biases (EPB). They contrast this with floral mimicry, which is viewed as a distinct phenomenon that might orig...

Evolution: The Mystery of Imperfect Mimicry

Mimicry has long provided some of the most persuasive examples of the power of natural selection. However, some mimics are quite poor. A new study shows that mechanisms by which animals learn might explain how imperfect mimics survive.

The evolution of imperfect mimicry in hoverflies