In the last
weeks I talked about mimicry emphasizing animals. Now, we are going to see some
examples of mimicry in the Plant Kingdom. Yes! Plants can present mimicry. They
use to avoid predators, but it is also used to attract and deceive insects.
There are
three types of mimicry in plants. They are: Batesian, Mullerian and Aggressive mimicry.
Batesian and Mullerian types we already know. The new one, aggressive, occurs
when an organism mimics a signal appearance in order to deceive or attract another
organism. There are
some examples of plant species that have these adaptations.
Bateasian
Mimicry:
One of the
most famous examples of Batesian Mimicry of toxic or poisonous species in plants
is that of the Urticaceae (stinging plants). They are very common and they have
leaves that carry a powerful sting if touched. Some species such as from India
can kill little kids in some cases. The leaf shape is very recognizable. As a
result, there are a lot of plants that their leaves look similar those of
nettles. For example, some white deadnettle, mint and other members of the
family Lamiaceae.
Urticaceae (stinging plants)
Mint
White deadnettle
Other
known Batesian mimicry is grass species as crop weeds. Some weeds are indistinguishable
from real crops. Weeds can easily contaminate seed stores. One famous example
is darnel ryegrass (Lolium temulentum), can
be mimetic of wheat (Triticum aestivum)
and barley (Hordeum vulgare). There is considerable evolutionary pressure on
wild plants to attempt to inhabit agricultural fields.
Lolium temulentum
Triticum aestivum
In
my opinion, the most interesting is the fact that crops are relatively “recent
method” to produce food. So, how these weeds can evolve aspects so similar?
Some scientists believe that as was having extermination of weeds so these
weeds evolved characteristics that could help them survive. As they have a quickly
reproduction so is easier to see that evolution.
References
Book:
Scott, P. 2008, Physiology and Behaviour of plants, 1st edn, Wiley: USA
Pictures viewed 05 April 2014:
