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Mullerian-mimicry definition

myo͝o-lîrē-ən, mə-, mĭ-
A form of protective mimicry, especially in insects, in which two or more distasteful or harmful species closely resemble each other and are therefore avoided equally by all their predators.
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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).
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Origin of mullerian-mimicry

  • After Johann Friedrich Theodor (Fritz) Müller (1821–1897), German-born Brazilian zoologist

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Mullerian-mimicry Sentence Examples

  • If this be the case the two species probably furnish an instance of true Mullerian mimicry.

  • The study of this intricate case is not yet completed and it is at present unknown whether it is an instance of Batesian or Mullerian mimicry.

  • The significance of this phenomenon, as already stated, was first explained by Fritz Milller; but although the term " Mullerian mimicry " has been assigned to this and similar instances, they are not strictly speaking cases of mimicry at all but of warning coloration.

  • Synaposemasy is Mullerian mimicry.

  • In other words the insects entering into the combination may furnish instances of Batesian and of Mullerian mimicry.

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