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automimicry
automimicry Mimicry that exploits polymorphism for palatability to predators. In the monarch butterfly, for example, unpalatability arises from the food plants which are chosen by the ovipositing female. After hatching, the feeding larvae take in substances that are toxic to birds but not to the insects themselves. This renders them unpalatable. The situation is used to advantage by palatable members of the species, which mimic the coloration of the unpalatable ones and so obtain protection. The polymorphism is frequency dependent, and the unpalatable insects must be more abundant (and hence more frequently encountered by the bird predators) than the palatable insects.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "automimicry." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "automimicry." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-automimicry.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "automimicry." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-automimicry.html |
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automimicry
automimicry The presence of a polymorphism for palatability to predators. In the monarch butterfly, for example, unpalatability arises from the food plants which are chosen by the ovipositing female. After hatching, the feeding larvae take in substances that are toxic to birds but not to the insects themselves. This renders them unpalatable. The situation is used to advantage by palatable members of the species, which mimic the coloration of the unpalatable ones and so obtain protection. The polymorphism is frequency-dependent, and the unpalatable insects must be more abundant (and hence more frequently encountered by the bird predators) than the palatable insects.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "automimicry." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "automimicry." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-automimicry.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "automimicry." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-automimicry.html |
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