tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post8082159522793340257..comments2024-02-29T03:57:00.088-05:00Comments on The Mermaid's Tale: The hummingbird that wasn'tAnne Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09212151396672651221noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-79023209447443203152012-07-04T21:31:31.585-04:002012-07-04T21:31:31.585-04:00I would say no, but I don't really know enough...I would say no, but I don't really know enough to be specific. What does it take for real imitation to be favored by selection?<br /><br />Generally, it relates to predators and prey. It could also apply to mate choice--individuals looking like some other individual in order to get a mate.<br /><br />Since there may be many reasons that physical appearance (including sound, smell, visual, etc.) could deceive a predator to avoid you <br />1. because you taste good but something you imitate tastes bad, <br />2. or for a predator to look like something harmless so the prey wouldn't get away, <br />3. or for a pattern to make an individual's parts or orientation look different from what it was (e.g., eye spots that make a prey species look as if its head--and its direction of escape motion--is at one end when it's really at the other, <br />4. Or to look fiercer or bigger or smaller or slower or faster than you really were,<br />5. Or who knows what else?<br /><br />....then I'd say there would be no area in which mimicry of various forms _might_ not be possible.<br /><br />Plants don't prey on one another the way animals do on each other or on plants, but their appearance could at least confuse predatory animals.<br /><br />Even bacteria and probably viruses can mimic the host's cells so the host's immune system doesn't recognize them.<br /><br />At the same time, the world is filled (mainly!) with species that don't seem to be using mimicry, even if it's possible in principle doesn't mean it always occurs.Ken Weisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02049713123559138421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-50173946511742724662012-07-04T21:07:36.559-04:002012-07-04T21:07:36.559-04:00It's fascinating! Are there sectors of the ani...It's fascinating! Are there sectors of the animal/insect kingdom more prone to imitation than others? (whether in sound, coloration or otherwise)?amiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01935376634550745025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-73834840470035893452012-07-03T19:40:31.031-04:002012-07-03T19:40:31.031-04:00I saw a similar (same?) moth at Dmanisi a few year...I saw a similar (same?) moth at Dmanisi a few years ago. But it was dying so I didn't get to see its impressive aerial prowess. Still, large, furry-ish arthropod - not my cup of tea.Zachary Cofranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10845549257961708506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-24926156872457623492012-07-03T10:53:15.115-04:002012-07-03T10:53:15.115-04:00Thanks, Hollis! Very glad you like them.Thanks, Hollis! Very glad you like them.Anne Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09212151396672651221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-21347837447963006802012-07-03T10:12:31.271-04:002012-07-03T10:12:31.271-04:00yes ... interest and beauty indeed! :) I remember...yes ... interest and beauty indeed! :) I remember the first time I saw and was fooled by a hummingbird moth ... pretty neat. Thanks for sharing the great photos.Hollishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10788942181934895493noreply@blogger.com