aggressive mimicry

American  

[uh-gres-iv mim-ik-ree] / əˈgrɛs ɪv ˈmɪm ɪk ri /

noun

1. Biology. a type of mimicry in which a predator or parasite lures its prey or host by exhibiting characteristics deceptively similar to a food source desirable to the prey.

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aggressive mimicry Scientific  

/ ə-grĕs′ĭv /

1. 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.

2. Compare Batesian mimicry Müllerian mimicry

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Example Sentences

The technique of mimicking a non-threatening or tasty species to lure prey is known as aggressive mimicry, and it’s seen in other deep-sea creatures such as anglerfish, viperfish and dragonfish.

From Scientific American • Aug. 28, 2013

But all of these fish have appendages that can glow with bioluminescence, and G. bonplandi does not, so this squid has to be a little bit more creative for its aggressive mimicry technique to work.

From Scientific American • Aug. 28, 2013

In the cases of aggressive mimicry an animal resembles some object which is attractive to its prey.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various