aggressive mimicry
[ ə-grĕs′ĭv ]
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A form of mimicry in which a predator (the mimic) closely resembles another organism (the model) that is attractive to a third organism (the dupe) on which the mimic preys. The anglerfish is an example of aggressive mimicry, having a modified dorsal spine that mimics a worm or small shrimp and serves as a lure to attract its prey. Compare Batesian mimicry Müllerian mimicry.
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Words nearby aggressive mimicry
aggregator, aggress, aggression, aggressive, aggressively, aggressive mimicry, aggressor, aggrieve, aggrieved, aggro, agha
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
How to use aggressive mimicry in a sentence
Now this cuckoo is much like a hawk in appearance, so much so that it affords the stock example of aggressive mimicry among birds.
Glimpses of Indian Birds|Douglas DewarIn the cases of aggressive mimicry an animal resembles some object which is attractive to its prey.