Chapter 34, Problem 2TC

Summary Introduction

To design:

An experiment to know whether the insects exhibit Mullerian mimicry or Batesian mimicry.

Given:

There are two insects. They both have the similar physical appearance and an antipredator defense.

Introduction:

The insects, which represent an antipredator response, may exhibit Batesian or Mullerian mimicry. The Batesian mimicry is the mimicry, in which the organism starts to exhibit the trait of the harmful organism. In the actual condition, it is harmless. In the Mullerian mimicry, two harmful organisms develop a similar appearance, in order to share the protection. This can be proved by testing the mode of defense.