In this
type of mimicry the mimic plant imitates physiologic components from the model.
It is possible to cite plants in the family Labiaceae (mints) that has similar
appearance with plants from the same family and with plants from Urticaceae
family.
When a
plant imitates only the appearance that is called Batesian mimicry and only the
mimicry has benefits. When a plant imitates appearance, smell, a flavor and
poisonous substances that process is called Mullerian mimicry and both species
are beneficiate.
So, mints
can be Batesian and Mullerian mimicry at the same time. They mimic some plants
that are unpalatable or poisonous. As a result, herbivores avoid both plants.
Reference
Scott, P. 2008, Physiology and Behaviour of plants, 1st edn, Wiley: USA
How would you go about testing whether or not the type of mimicry was Müllerian or Batesian? What plants are found in the family Urticaceae?
ReplyDeleteWe may test observing which plantas have more benefits. For example, in Batesian mimicry only the mimic have advantages because predators avoid eat them. In Mullerian mimicry both mimic and model have advantages because they taste a like so will need less deaths to predators avoid both species.
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