There are a number of different causes/reasons. While not an exhaustive list these are a few things that come to mind:- 1. Only humans see the similarity - so not a true mimic as such. Don't forget inverts can see in different wavelengths of light and use their non-visual senses far more than humans (smell, etc).
- 2. Convergent evolution; ie the same set of environmental conditions that cause one species to have certain shapes & colours worked for a totally different species in a different family. Benefits like camouflage, etc.
- 3. True Mimickery, where they look like something else "on purpose" because it benefits them; eg they look like a predator so other predators don't attack them. Of course nothing is done "on purpose", but selection gave those variations a better survival rate so they bred more and took on the variation permenantly. Or, eg, they are predators; so looking like their prey can get them closer to their prey and catch them more easily.
| Copyright © 2025-2026 Brett & Marie Smith. All Rights Reserved. |
|
|
