Mimicry

In biology, mimicry (f.) refers to a form of imitation of visual, auditory or olfactory signals that results in the imitator and forger gaining advantages by deceiving the signal receiver. In the case of mimicry, two common variants in particular can be distinguished from the point of view of the signal forger: On the one hand, protective mimicry by imitating models that, for example, scare off potential predators; on the other hand, luring mimicry by imitating models that, for example, are attractive to potential prey or to pollinators.

A well-known example of mimicry is the similarity of shape and colour pattern of the petals of certain orchids of the genus Ophrys and certain insects, which is so striking that it gave them their names (bee ragwort, bumblebee ragwort, fly ragwort). The flowers of the Great Spider Ragwort mimic the attractant pheromone of female sand bees of the species Andrena nigroaenea - an irresistible enticement for the swarming drones to land on these orchid flowers and pollinate them in search of the female.

How these and other variants of mimicry, which extend into the field of molecular biology, are to be distinguished in a well-founded manner and how each is to be named, is the subject of controversial debate among researchers; some scientists suggest limiting the term mimicry to Bates' mimicry.

Word Origin

The term mimicry is derived from English mimicry (= "imitation"), which in turn is derived from to mimic: "to imitate, mime" + suffix -ry (corresponding to German "-erei") and borrowed from Ancient Greek μίμος mímos imitator, imitator, actor.

Principle: Signal forgery

Three factors

Every mimicry system consists of a model, an imitator (mimet) and a signal receiver, which reacts in approximately the same way to model and imitator. Such a mimicry system causes a deception of the signal receiver by its specific shapes, colours or smells. The signal receiver receives a "fake" signal, which it interprets either as a temptation, as a danger or as irrelevant for it. In the context of evolutionary theory, these analogical patterns that have emerged in the course of phylogeny have the "biological benefit" of increasing the mimetic's chances of survival and thereby the probability of passing on its genes to the next generation. As for the origin of all species, Charles Darwin also assumed in relation to mimicry systems that the imitation of models gradually evolved by way of selectively favouring reinforcement of corresponding mutations.

The problem of precise classification

It is not always possible to achieve a clear demarcation between mimicry and mimesis; an example of this is the African devil's flower (Idolomantis diabolicum), a mantis whose forelimb, equipped with leaf-like tentacles, resembles a flower. While many insect species approach this "flower" only as a supposedly harmless resting place (mimesis), other species are attracted to their supposed feeding place (Peckham's mimicry) - and eaten. This distinction makes it clear that the way the signal is interpreted by the receiver in question determines whether the signal is classified as mimesis or mimicry. The distinction from camouflage is also fluid.