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.