Studies of Müllerian Mimicry and its Evolution in Burnet Moths and Heliconid Butterflies

摘要: Mullerian mimicry does not of itself lead to variation pattern or colour within a species. The function is protect its possessors, all them unpalatable species, by their mutual resemblance. This it first reducing the number individuals each species which predators kill before they learn avoid (because only one needs be learned) and second, assumes, what experimental psychologist calls secondary reinforcement: predator’s avoidance unpleasant can strengthened merely seeing pattern, without actually tasting it. cornerstone thus uniformity mimics are likely polymorphic, unlike Batesian (palatable resembling ones), in polymorphism favoured natural selection (Ford 1953). (For general review mimicry, see Ford 1964 Wickler 1968.)