A. James Gustafson's profile

Mimicry - The Imitation Game

Several species of animal & insect share physical resemblances with other, more dangerous species as a means of defense. 

(Fig. 1) In an example of Batesian mimicry, the non-venomous Mexican Milk Snake (a) bares a brightly-colored pattern similar to that of the venomous Texas Coral Snake (b). Similar forms of mimicry can be seen between several species of common wasps (e) & hoverflies (f). Contrarily, in a demonstration of Mullerian mimicry, the Viceroy Butterfly (c)- once thought of as harmless - is as toxic as the Monarch Butterfly (d), with which it shares a mutually beneficial likeness.

(Fig. 2) Shown is a diagram demonstrating the actual, relative size of each species.


Mimicry - The Imitation Game
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Mimicry - The Imitation Game

A recent Scientific illustration project on the subject of mimicry including illustrations of the Mexican Milk Snake, Texas Coral Snake, Monarch Read More

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