Müllerian mimicry

views updated May 09 2018

Müllerian mimicry The similarity in appearance of one species of animal to that of another, where both are distasteful to predators. Both gain from having the same warning coloration, since predators learn to avoid both species after tasting either one or the other. The phenomenon is named after FritzMüller, who described it in relation to insects in South America. Compare Batesian mimicry.

Müllerian mimicry

views updated Jun 11 2018

Müllerian mimicry The similarity in appearance of one species of animal to that of another, where both are distasteful to predators. Both gain from having the same warning coloration, since predators learn to avoid both species after tasting either one or the other. The phenomenon is named after Fritz Müller who described it in relation to insects in S. America. Compare BATESIAN MIMICRY.

Müllerian mimicry

views updated Jun 08 2018

Müllerian mimicry See mimicry.