Müllerian mimicry

American  

[myoo-leer-ee-uhn, muh-, mi-] / myuˈlɪər i ən, mʌ-, mɪ- /

Or Mullerian mimicry

noun

Ecology.

1. the resemblance in appearance of two or more unpalatable species, which are avoided by predators to a greater degree than any one of the species would be otherwise.

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Müllerian mimicry British  

/ muːˈlɪərɪən /

noun

1. zoology mimicry in which two or more harmful or inedible species resemble each other, so that predators tend to avoid them

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Müllerian mimicry Scientific  

/ myo̅o̅-lîr′ē-ən,mə- /

1. A form of protective mimicry in which two or more poisonous or unpalatable species closely resemble each other and are therefore avoided equally by all their natural predators. The similarity in coloration between the monarch and viceroy butterflies, once considered an example of Batesian mimicry, is now generally considered as Müllerian mimicry because the viceroy is thought to be as bad-tasting to birds as the monarch. Müllerian mimicry is named after the German-born Brazilian zoologist Fritz Müller (1821–97).

2. Compare aggressive mimicry Batesian mimicry

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Etymology

Origin of Müllerian mimicry

After German-born Brazilian biologist Fritz Müller (1821–97), who described it in 1878; -ian

Example Sentences

In Müllerian mimicry, multiple species share the same warning coloration, but all of them actually have defenses.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Müllerian mimicry is a form of mutualism, in which different toxic species benefit by having the same aposematic colors or patterns.

From Scientific American • Aug. 21, 2012

Müllerian mimicry is where both species are distasteful.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.