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Batesian mimicry is when a harmless species or a species that is prey to predators (some textbooks might use the word 'palatable', which means savoury or tasty) copies a harmful species or a species that is not prey to other predators (unpalatable, which means unsavoury, not tasty).

On the other hand, a Mullerian mimicry is when TWO (or more) harmful or unpalatable species mimic each other.

These animals usually mimic each other's appearances but mimicry can also extend to behaviour.

For example, say we have two frogs. One is poisonous and uses aposematic (warning) coloration by being bright blue. One is harmless and bright blue. This is a case of Batesian mimicry.

But if both frogs are poisonous and bright blue, this is Mullerian mimicry.

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Q: What is the difference between Batesian mimicry and Mullerian mimicry?
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The term used to describe a harmless organism resembling a harmful one is?

Batesian Mimicry


What is the difference between camouflage and mimicry?

Mimicry describes an animal who is behaving like another type of animal to throw off its predators. Camouflage describes an animal's ability to make itself look like something else to blend in with its surroundings.


How does a Viceroy Butterfly mimics a Monarch Butterfly?

Butterflies are harmless. No American Lepidoptera is known to be poisonous to man. I am familiar with the Monarch, Red Admiral and other types. they are harmless and beautiful insects not pesky (Bugs). The Monarch butterfly is poisonous to some animals. The poisons in their bodies is very distasteful to many predators. The viceroy and monarch were once thought to exhibit Batesian mimicry where a harmless species mimics a toxic species. Studies conducted in the early 1990's suggest that the viceroy and the monarch are actually examples of Mullerian mimicry where two equally toxic species mimic each other to the benefit of each. Just goes to show you there's always something new to discover in the natural world!


How do various adaptations help ensure species survival?

It increases the biodiversity of the species.


What is an example of irritability?

Irritability is the ability of an organism to respond to stimulus. So a cockroach moving out of light is an example of the insect responding to light. Adaptation is a beneficial change that is maintained via natural selection. One of these is mimicry, where the viceroy butterfly looks like a monarch butterfly, which enables it to escape predation, because birds know that a monarch butterfly tastes horrible.

Related questions

What is batesain mimicry?

There are two main types of mimicry, which is the adaption by one life form of some of the superficial characteristics of another. The first is called Batesian mimicry, and in this case the mimic is sort of "free riding" on the reputation of the creature mimiced. The other is Mullerian mimicry and here both creatures contribute to the reputation. Consider two butterflies, the Monarch and the Viceroy. The viceroy's coloration mimics the monarch's. The monarch eats milkweed and the latex in its body is toxic to birds, so they learn not to eat monarchs, and sometimes they pass up viceroys as well. Now, the viceroy doesn't eat milkweed, so presumably it is a Batesian mimic, just coasting on the monarch's reputation as a toxic butterfly -- BUT -- some naturalists think they the viceroy, though it doesn't eat milkweed specifically, also has a toxic diet and is therefore a Mullerian mimic. One clear case of Batesian mimicry is the scarlet snake, which is nonvenomous but looks similar to the coral snake, which is.


What are 3 types of mimicry?

Batesian mimicry is when a non-dangerous animal adapts to appear similar to a a dangerous one to dissuade predators from eating them. Mullerian mimicry is when two dangerous species adapt to appear similar to each other so that the predators would only need to remember to not eat animals with a single characteristic. Brotherian mimicry is when you are with your friends and your brother decides to try to imitate you so he can be an annoying brat.


Adaptation where an organism resembles another by sound or looks?

Batesian mimicry


Difference between aggressive and protective mimicry?

difference between aggressive mimicry and protective mimicry


The term used to describe a harmless organism resembling a harmful one is?

Batesian Mimicry


Why do plants and animals use mimicry or camouflage?

Mimicry describes an animal who is behaving like another type of animal to throw off its predators. Camouflage describes an animal's ability to make itself look like something else to blend in with its surroundings.


What is the relationship between the viceroy and monarch butterfly?

The relationship is called Batesian comimicry. Both butterflies are distasteful,so they mimic each others' patterns for mutual protection. A common misconception is that only the monarch is poisonous and the viceroy mimics it to gain protection even though it is non-poisonous. This is not true though, as studies in the 1980s proved that the viceroy is poisonous as well.


A harmless moth that resembles a poisonous wasp is an example of?

A harmless moth that resembles a poisonous wasp is an example of Batesian mimicry. The name comes from Henry Walter Bates, who was an English naturalist.


What does mimicry mean in the science term?

In evolutionary terms, mimicry is the similarity of one species to another that provides benefit for one or both species. This can include similarities in things like; appearance, behaviour or scent. An example of this is a harmless butterfly which mimics the patterns of a poisonous butterfly so that predators stay away. This form of mimicry is known as Batesian mimicry.


What is the difference between camouflage and mimicry?

Mimicry describes an animal who is behaving like another type of animal to throw off its predators. Camouflage describes an animal's ability to make itself look like something else to blend in with its surroundings.


What is Difference between camouflage and mimicry?

Mimicry describes an animal who is behaving like another type of animal to throw off its predators. Camouflage describes an animal's ability to make itself look like something else to blend in with its surroundings.


How does a Viceroy Butterfly mimics a Monarch Butterfly?

Butterflies are harmless. No American Lepidoptera is known to be poisonous to man. I am familiar with the Monarch, Red Admiral and other types. they are harmless and beautiful insects not pesky (Bugs). The Monarch butterfly is poisonous to some animals. The poisons in their bodies is very distasteful to many predators. The viceroy and monarch were once thought to exhibit Batesian mimicry where a harmless species mimics a toxic species. Studies conducted in the early 1990's suggest that the viceroy and the monarch are actually examples of Mullerian mimicry where two equally toxic species mimic each other to the benefit of each. Just goes to show you there's always something new to discover in the natural world!