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Mimicry on the edge: why do mimics vary in resemblance to their model in different parts of their geographical range?

ABSTRACT: Batesian mimics-benign species that predators avoid because they resemble a dangerous species-often vary geographically in resemblance to their model. Such geographical variation in mimic-model resemblance may reflect geographical variation in model abundance. Natural selection should favour even poor mimics where their model is common, but only good mimics where their model is rare. We tested these predictions in a snake-mimicry complex where the geographical range of the mimic extends beyond that of its model. Mimics on the edge of their model's range (where the model was rare) resembled the model more closely than did mimics in the centre of their model's range (where the model was common). When free-ranging natural predators on the edge of the model's range were given a choice of attacking replicas of good or poor mimics, they avoided only good mimics. By contrast, those in the centre of the model's range attacked good and poor mimics equally frequently. Generally, although poor mimics may persist in areas where their model is common, only the best mimics should occur in areas where their model is rare. Thus, counter-intuitively, the best mimics may occur on the edge of their model's range.

SUBMITTER: Harper GR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2275182 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Mimicry on the edge: why do mimics vary in resemblance to their model in different parts of their geographical range?

Harper George R GR Pfennig David W DW

Proceedings. Biological sciences 20070801 1621

Batesian mimics-benign species that predators avoid because they resemble a dangerous species-often vary geographically in resemblance to their model. Such geographical variation in mimic-model resemblance may reflect geographical variation in model abundance. Natural selection should favour even poor mimics where their model is common, but only good mimics where their model is rare. We tested these predictions in a snake-mimicry complex where the geographical range of the mimic extends beyond t ...[more]

PMID: 17567563

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Project description:BackgroundThe essential oil is one of the main active ingredients of Amomum villosum Lour. However, volatile compounds are easily lost during the drying, storage and even sample preparation procedure. Therefore, using fresh samples can obtain more accurately data for qualitative and comparative analysis.MethodsIn this study, the volatile compounds in different parts of fresh A. villosum from different origins were systemic analyzed and compared by using cryogenic grinding combined HS-SPME-GC-MS for the first time. GC-MS analyses were performed on a 6890 Series GC instrument coupled to a 5973 N mass spectrometer. The volatile compounds were extracted by the SPME fiber (100 μm PDMS). Analytes separation was achieved on a HP-5MS capillary column. The oven temperature was initially programmed at 70 °C, then raised 4 °C/min to reach 125 °C and then programmed at 0.5 °C/min to 133 °C, then at 6 °C/min to 170 °C and finally, at 20 °C/min to 280 °C held for 2 min. The temperatures of the injection port, ion source and transfer line were set at 250 °C, 230 °C and 280 °C, respectively.ResultsForty-eight main compounds were identified in different parts of fresh A. villosum. The most abundant components in fresh fruit samples were camphor (3.91%), bornyl acetate (10.53%), caryophyllene (8.70%), β-bisabolene (11.50%), (E)-nerolidol (14.82%) and cubenol (10.04%). This is quite different with that of dried samples analyzed in our previous work. As different parts of the same plant, many common components with biological activities were detected in fruit and other parts. In principle components analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), four parts of A. villosum were divided into different groups clearly. Additionally, fruit and root samples also could be divided into two subgroups (HCA) in accordance with their regions.ConclusionThe developed method was successfully used for qualitative and comparative analysis of volatile compounds in fresh A. villosum samples. Additionally, using fresh samples can obtain much more information which is helpful for their performance in the fields of functional foods, agriculture and biomedical industry. Furthermore, our research is helpful for comprehensive utilization and quality control of A. villosum.

Project description:BackgroundThe simian malaria parasite, Plasmodium knowlesi, can cause severe and fatal disease in humans yet it is rarely included in routine public health reporting systems for malaria and its geographical range is largely unknown. Because malaria caused by P. knowlesi is a truly neglected tropical disease, there are substantial obstacles to defining the geographical extent and risk of this disease. Information is required on the occurrence of human cases in different locations, on which non-human primates host this parasite and on which vectors are able to transmit it to humans. We undertook a systematic review and ranked the existing evidence, at a subnational spatial scale, to investigate the potential geographical range of the parasite reservoir capable of infecting humans.Methodology/principal findingsAfter reviewing the published literature we identified potential host and vector species and ranked these based on how informative they are for the presence of an infectious parasite reservoir, based on current evidence. We collated spatial data on parasite occurrence and the ranges of the identified host and vector species. The ranked spatial data allowed us to assign an evidence score to 475 subnational areas in 19 countries and we present the results on a map of the Southeast and South Asia region.Conclusions/significanceWe have ranked subnational areas within the potential disease range according to evidence for presence of a disease risk to humans, providing geographical evidence to support decisions on prevention, management and prophylaxis. This work also highlights the unknown risk status of large parts of the region. Within this unknown category, our map identifies which areas have most evidence for the potential to support an infectious reservoir and are therefore a priority for further investigation. Furthermore we identify geographical areas where further investigation of putative host and vector species would be highly informative for the region-wide assessment.

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Mimicry on the edge: why do mimics vary in resemblance to their model in different parts of their geographical range?

Publications

Mimicry on the edge: why do mimics vary in resemblance to their model in different parts of their geographical range?

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