192k views
0 votes
Viceroy, King and Monarch resemble each other. Although the Monarch is the only one poisonous, most birds avoid all three species. This represents which type of adaptations?

User Jojojohn
by
8.7k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

The convergence in appearance of the Viceroy, King, and Monarch species, despite only the Monarch being toxic, represents Batesian mimicry. Batesian mimicry is an adaptive strategy where a harmless species mimics the coloration of a toxic species to deter predators.

Step-by-step explanation:

The resemblance between the Viceroy, King, and Monarch species, despite only the Monarch being poisonous, is an example of Batesian mimicry. Batesian mimicry is a form of adaptive evolution where a harmless species imitates the warning coloration of a harmful one. Consequently, potential predators, having had unpleasant experiences with the toxic species, avoid the harmless ones mimicking its coloration. Therefore, the Viceroy and King species benefit from this mimicry as they are avoided by predators despite not being toxic.

On the contrary, Müllerian mimicry involves multiple species that share similar warning coloration, but all of them have defenses. While in Emsleyan/Mertensian mimicry, a fatally toxic species mimics a less toxic one. However, the case of the Viceroy, King, and Monarch is distinctively Batesian as only the Monarch is poisonous.

Learn more about Batesian mimicry

User Rayshawn
by
8.7k points