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A hypothesis to explain accuracy of wasp resemblances

Boppré, Michael, Vane-Wright, Richard I., Wickler, Wolfgang (2016) A hypothesis to explain accuracy of wasp resemblances. Ecology and Evolution, 7 (1). pp. 73-81. ISSN 2045-7758. (doi:10.1002/ece3.2586) (KAR id:60693)

Abstract

Mimicry is one of the oldest concepts in biology, but it still presents many puzzles and continues to be widely debated. Simulation of wasps with a yellow-black abdominal pattern by other insects (commonly called “wasp mimicry”) is traditionally considered a case of resemblance of unprofitable by profitable prey causing educated predators to avoid models and mimics to the advantage of both (Figure 1a). However, as wasps themselves are predators of insects, wasp mimicry can also be seen as a case of resemblance to one's own potential antagonist. We here propose an additional hypothesis to Batesian and Müllerian mimicry (both typically involving selection by learning vertebrate predators; cf. Table 1) that reflects another possible scenario for the evolution of multifold and in particular very accurate resemblances to wasps: an innate, visual inhibition of aggression among look-alike wasps, based on their social organization and high abundance. We argue that wasp species resembling each other need not only be Müllerian mutualists and that other insects resembling wasps need not only be Batesian mimics, but an innate ability of wasps to recognize each other during hunting is the driver in the evolution of a distinct kind of masquerade, in which model, mimic, and selecting agent belong to one or several species (Figure 1b). Wasp mimics resemble wasps not (only) to be mistaken by educated predators but rather, or in addition, to escape attack from their wasp models. Within a given ecosystem, there will be selection pressures leading to masquerade driven by wasps and/or to mimicry driven by other predators that have to learn to avoid them. Different pressures by guilds of these two types of selective agents could explain the widely differing fidelity with respect to the models in assemblages of yellow jackets and yellow jacket look-alikes.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1002/ece3.2586
Uncontrolled keywords: adaptive resemblance; crypsis; evolution; learned/innate responses; masquerade; mimesis; Müllerian/Batesian/imperfect/inaccurate mimicry; selecting agents; wasps; Diptera; Syrphidae; hoverflies; Hymenoptera; Vespidae; Lepidoptera; Arctiinae; moths
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Depositing User: Sarah Saines
Date Deposited: 03 Mar 2017 14:26 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 17:56 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/60693 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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