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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 mimic, A. serpa By contrast, in Ecuador, where A. iphiclus (model) is significantly more abundant than A. serpa (mimic), both species are equally protected from predation. Our results provide compelling experimental evidence that imperfect Batesian mimicry is frequency-dependent on the relative abundance of models and mimics in natural populations, and contribute to the growing body of evidence that complex dynamics, such as seasonality or the availability of alternative prey, influence the evolution of mimetic traits.

SUBMITTER: Finkbeiner SD 

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

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Frequency dependence shapes the adaptive landscape of imperfect Batesian mimicry.

Finkbeiner Susan D SD   Salazar Patricio A PA   Nogales Sofía S   Rush Cassidi E CE   Briscoe Adriana D AD   Hill Ryan I RI   Kronforst Marcus R MR   Willmott Keith R KR   Mullen Sean P SP  

Proceedings. Biological sciences 20180401 1876


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 <i>Adelpha</i> butterflies that vary in their relati  ...[more]

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