Biological mimicry is a biological process in which one organism evolves traits that closely resemble those of another organism or environmental feature, thereby altering interactions with predators, prey, hosts, or mutualists. It arises through natural selection acting on heritable variation in phenotypes that confer fitness advantages via deception, such as reduced predation, enhanced pollination, or improved parasitism. Mechanistically, mimicry can involve convergence in morphology, coloration, behavior, chemical signaling, or acoustic patterns, and typically functions within coevolutionary networks. Major forms include Batesian, Müllerian, and aggressive mimicry, each characterized by distinct selective regimes and ecological roles in signal production, perception, and evolutionary stability.
In the canopies of a South American rainforest, a tiny soldier termite has stunned a team of international scientists with its whale-like features.
Plants & Animals
Dec 5, 2025
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124
Ever suddenly realize you had picked up certain words or ways of speaking from a close friend? It turns out that humans are far from the only animals who copy the sounds of their closest companions—a new study shows that ...
Plants & Animals
Dec 2, 2025
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Deception is everywhere in nature. Animals and plants routinely cheat, lie and manipulate for their own benefit. One example is mimicry, where one species (the mimic) has evolved to resemble another (the model).
Evolution
Dec 1, 2025
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Plants & Animals
Nov 26, 2025
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Scientists document a new form of host manipulation where an invading, parasitic ant queen "tricks" ant workers into killing their queen mother. The invading ant integrates herself into the nest by pretending to be a member ...
Plants & Animals
Nov 17, 2025
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123
The extraordinary anti-predator strategy of two tiny, orb-weaving spider species has been uncovered by scientists from The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Florida.
Evolution
Nov 10, 2025
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135
Scientists at UC San Diego have moved one step closer to unlocking a superpower held by some of nature's greatest "masters of disguise." Octopuses, squids, cuttlefish and other animals in the cephalopod family are well known ...
Cell & Microbiology
Nov 3, 2025
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Evolution
Oct 31, 2025
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105
Spotted lanternflies may season themselves to the distaste of potential bird predators, according to a new study led by entomologists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
Plants & Animals
Oct 28, 2025
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Many butterflies develop wing patterns that mimic other species to protect themselves from predators. While growing complex body parts like wings involves many genes, the difference between two versions of the same thing—like ...
Ecology
Oct 9, 2025
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