Frequency dependence shapes the adaptive landscape of imperfect Batesian mimicry.

ABSTRACT: Despite more than a century of biological research on the evolution and maintenance of mimetic signals, the relative frequencies of models and mimics necessary to establish and maintain Batesian mimicry in natural populations remain understudied. Here we investigate the frequency-dependent dynamics of imperfect Batesian mimicry, using predation experiments involving artificial butterfly models. We use two geographically distinct populations of Adelpha butterflies that vary in their relative frequencies of a putatively defended model (Adelpha iphiclus) and Batesian mimic (Adelpha serpa). We found that in Costa Rica, where both species share similar abundances, Batesian mimicry breaks down, and predators more readily attack artificial butterfly models of the presumed mim

SUBMITTER: Finkbeiner SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5904311 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature