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. Mimicry has long provided some of the most persuasive examples o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current biology 2014-05, Vol.24 (9), p.R364-R366
Main Author: Cuthill, Innes C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Physiological - physiology
Animals
Imitative Behavior - physiology
Passeriformes - physiology
Predatory Behavior - physiology
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Summary: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. 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.
ISSN:0960-9822
1879-0445
DOI:10.1016/j.cub.2014.04.006