What is an example of Batesian mimicry in nature?

What is an example of Batesian mimicry in nature?

• A. Coral and king snakes
• B. Butterflies and moths
• C. Cows and buffalo
• D. Caterpillars and butterflies

Answer: (A)

Batesian mimicry is a form of mimicry in which a harmless species evolves to imitate the warning signals of a harmful or unpalatable species. This adaptation helps the mimicking species avoid predation because predators learn to associate a particular appearance with a negative experience (such as being stung or bitten). In the case of coral and king snakes, king snakes resemble the brightly colored and patterned coral snakes, which are venomous and can deliver a potentially lethal bite. The king snake benefits from this resemblance as predators often avoid it, mistaking it for the dangerous coral snake. This survival strategy illustrates Batesian mimicry perfectly because the king snake is not harmful, unlike its venomous counterpart. The other options do not exemplify Batesian mimicry. Butterflies and moths showcase various forms of mimicry and adaptation, but they do not link directly to the concept of one benefiting by imitating a harmful counterpart. Cows and buffalo do not serve any mimicking purpose related to survival. Similarly, while caterpillars and butterflies can be similar in some respects, they do not fit the Batesian mimicry definition, mainly because both could be considered distasteful or harmful in different contexts, not one pretending to be the other for protection.

Batesian mimicry is a form of mimicry in which a harmless species evolves to imitate the warning signals of a harmful or unpalatable species. This adaptation helps the mimicking species avoid predation because predators learn to associate a particular appearance with a negative experience (such as being stung or bitten).

In the case of coral and king snakes, king snakes resemble the brightly colored and patterned coral snakes, which are venomous and can deliver a potentially lethal bite. The king snake benefits from this resemblance as predators often avoid it, mistaking it for the dangerous coral snake. This survival strategy illustrates Batesian mimicry perfectly because the king snake is not harmful, unlike its venomous counterpart.

The other options do not exemplify Batesian mimicry. Butterflies and moths showcase various forms of mimicry and adaptation, but they do not link directly to the concept of one benefiting by imitating a harmful counterpart. Cows and buffalo do not serve any mimicking purpose related to survival. Similarly, while caterpillars and butterflies can be similar in some respects, they do not fit the Batesian mimicry definition, mainly because both could be considered distasteful or harmful in different contexts, not one pretending to be the other for protection.