camouflage and mimicry wisdom and evolution of organism- 偽装と擬態 -生物の知恵と進化-

Camouflage and Mimicry-Wisdom and evolution of organism-

Takatoshi AKAI

23-1 JOCV

KWS Malindi Marine Park

Difference between camouflage and mimicry

• To change color of body to shade into scenery

• To take the form of other organism, such as plant or insects

Mimic color / Hide color

Moth / Tree trunk

Larva of Moth(Abraxas latifasciata) / Branch of tree

Baculum elongatum / leaf

Grass hopper(Trilophidia japonica) / Ground

Moth / Fallen leave

Mantis / leave

Flash Color

Looks like big eyes.

Warning Color

They have poison

Mullerian mimicry

Dangerous creature has similar color, especially yellow and black.

Batesian mimicry 1

• Moth : mimic of wasp

Kakonoga　（ Moth）

Nokona regalis (Moth ）

Wasp

Batesian mimicry 2

Mutilla mikado

Bee looks like ant.

Riptortus pedestris

Stinkbug looks like ant.(15～ 17mm)

Formicomus braminus

Bee looks like ant. （ 2.6～ 4.0mm ）

Methocha japonica

Bee looks like ant.

※Ant is like a gang of insects. So most creatures avoid ants, except ant bear.

Peckham’s mimicry１• Angler fish

Use lantern to gather small fish and eat.

Other mimicry is aimed to escape from their predator.But, this mimicry is for get prey.Therefore, we also call it “Offensive Mimicry”

Peckham’s mimicry 2

Myrmarachne japonica Red

They are spider, which eat ant.

Myrmarachne japonica Black

Mertens’ mimicry

Micrurus （ Venom）

Lampropeltis triangulumLampropeltis triangulum

（ no poison ）

We also call it 猛毒型擬態 (venomous mimicry)

Become looks like poisonous snake and protect from predator.

Conclusion

Creatures experienced evolution to protect themselves.

Some changed shape Some changed color Their evolution aimed to SURVIVE.