Müllerian mimicry
or Mul·le·ri·an mimicry
[ myoo-leer-ee-uhn, muh-, mi- ]
/ myuˈlɪər i ən, mʌ-, mɪ- /
noun Ecology.
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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Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Compare Batesian mimicry.
Origin of Müllerian mimicry
After German-born Brazilian biologist Fritz Müller (1821–97), who described it in 1878; see -ian
Words nearby Müllerian mimicry
mullein pink, muller, mullered, müllerian, müllerian duct, Müllerian mimicry, Müller-Lyer illusion, mullet, mulley, mulligan, mulligatawny
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for Müllerian mimicry
Müllerian mimicry
/ (muːˈlɪərɪən) /
noun
zoology mimicry in which two or more harmful or inedible species resemble each other, so that predators tend to avoid them
Word Origin for Müllerian mimicry
C19: named after J.F.T. Müller (1821–97), German zoologist who first described it
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for Müllerian mimicry
Müllerian mimicry
[ myōō-lîr′ē-ən, mə- ]
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). Compare aggressive mimicry Batesian mimicry.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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