Batesian mimicry

[ beyt-see-uhn ]

noun

, Ecology.

1. the protective resemblance in appearance of a palatable or harmless species, as the viceroy butterfly, to an unpalatable or dangerous species, as the monarch butterfly, that is usually avoided by predators.

Batesian mimicry

/ ˈbeɪtsɪən /

noun

1. zoology mimicry in which a harmless species is protected from predators by means of its resemblance to a harmful or inedible species

Batesian mimicry

/ bāt′sē-ən /

1. A form of protective mimicry in which an unprotected species (the mimic) closely resembles an unpalatable or harmful species (the model), and therefore is similarly avoided by predators. The close resemblance between certain harmless flies and stinging bees, and the similarity between the colored stripes of the nonpoisonous king snake and those of the highly venomous coral snake, are examples of Batesian mimicry. Batesian mimicry is named after the British naturalist Henry Walter Bates (1825–92).
2. Compare aggressive mimicry

Word History and Origins

Origin of Batesian mimicry¹

After Henry Walter Bates (1825–92), English naturalist, who described such mimicry in 1861; -ian

Word History and Origins

Origin of Batesian mimicry¹

C19: named after H. W. Bates (1825–92), British naturalist and explorer

Example Sentences

"These new techniques can give us unique insights into the molecular population genetics of this fascinating example of Batesian mimicry," said Dr Simon Martin, from the University of Edinburgh, one of the coauthors on the study.

From Science Daily

The paper, published in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution, is entitled: "Transposable element insertions are associated with Batesian mimicry in the pantropical butterfly Hypolimnas misippus."

From Science Daily

These evolutionary adaptations are examples of Batesian mimicry — named after the 19th-century British naturalist Henry Walter Bates — when harmless species evade predators by mimicking more dangerous species that their hungry foes know to avoid.

From New York Times

Although little-known now, his name endures in ‘Batesian mimicry’: a survival strategy based on apeing harmful species, which he observed in butterflies.

From Nature

Along the way, he discovers a phenomenon later named for him: Batesian mimicry, in which, for example, harmless butterflies developed wing markings that resembled those of poisonous butterflies, making them seem yucky to hungry birds.

From Washington Post