In
the image, frogs a, b and c are all different morphs of the same
species, Ranitomeya imitator, commonly known as the Imitating Dart Frog.
The different morphs mimic the colouration and pattern of other dart
frogs that occur in their geographic range. The frog which each morph is
imitating is depicted directly below the morph itself (i.e. frogs d, e
and f). But why do the Imitating Dart Frogs do this? The answer is Müllerian mimicry.
Müllerian mimicry is when multiple unpalatable* species resemble each
other. In general, these species have common predators. By imitating
each other’s warning signals, their predators will quickly learn to
avoid both species. This is most commonly observed amongst
invertebrates, such as butterflies. This is a rare example of a
vertebrate exhibiting Müllerian mimicry.
*unpalatable – inedible/ foul-tasting organisms
Read all about it: http://bit.ly/SOL3P8
Image: http://bit.ly/VXKghY
In
the image, frogs a, b and c are all different morphs of the same
species, Ranitomeya imitator, commonly known as the Imitating Dart Frog.
The different morphs mimic the colouration and pattern of other dart
frogs that occur in their geographic range. The frog which each morph is
imitating is depicted directly below the morph itself (i.e. frogs d, e
and f). But why do the Imitating Dart Frogs do this? The answer is Müllerian mimicry.
Müllerian mimicry is when multiple unpalatable* species resemble each other. In general, these species have common predators. By imitating each other’s warning signals, their predators will quickly learn to avoid both species. This is most commonly observed amongst invertebrates, such as butterflies. This is a rare example of a vertebrate exhibiting Müllerian mimicry.
*unpalatable – inedible/ foul-tasting organisms
Read all about it: http://bit.ly/SOL3P8
Image: http://bit.ly/VXKghY
Müllerian mimicry is when multiple unpalatable* species resemble each other. In general, these species have common predators. By imitating each other’s warning signals, their predators will quickly learn to avoid both species. This is most commonly observed amongst invertebrates, such as butterflies. This is a rare example of a vertebrate exhibiting Müllerian mimicry.
*unpalatable – inedible/ foul-tasting organisms
Read all about it: http://bit.ly/SOL3P8
Image: http://bit.ly/VXKghY
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