Optimal-Foraging Predator Favors Commensalistic Batesian Mimicry

BACKGROUND:Mimicry, in which one prey species (the Mimic) imitates the aposematic signals of another prey (the Model) to deceive their predators, has attracted the general interest of evolutionary biologists. Predator psychology, especially how the predator learns and forgets, has recently been recognized as an important factor in a predator-prey system. This idea is supported by both theoretical and experimental evidence, but is also the source of a good deal of controversy because of its novel prediction that in a Model/Mimic relationship even a moderately unpalatable Mimic increases the risk of the Model (quasi-Batesian mimicry). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:We developed a psychology-based Monte Carlo model simulation of mimicry that incorporates a "Pavlovian" predator that practices an optimal foraging strategy, and examined how various ecological and psychological factors affect the relationships between a Model prey species and its Mimic. The behavior of the predator in our model is consistent with that reported by experimental studies, but our simulation's predictions differed markedly from those of previous models of mimicry because a more abundant Mimic did not increase the predation risk of the Model when alternative prey were abundant. Moreover, a quasi-Batesian relationship emerges only when no or very few alternative prey items were available. Therefore, the availability of alternative prey rather than the precise method of predator learning critically determines the relationship between Model and Mimic. Moreover, the predation risk to the Model and Mimic is determined by the absolute density of the Model rather than by its density relative to that of the Mimic. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:Although these predictions are counterintuitive, they can explain various kinds of data that have been offered in support of competitive theories. Our model results suggest that to understand mimicry in nature it is important to consider the likely presence of alternative prey and the possibility that predation pressure is not constant

Levantamento florístico da região de São José do Rio Preto: 1.ª Contribuição

É apresentada uma primeira lista de plantas vasculares coletadas pelos A. A. na região de São José do Rio Preto (S. P.). O clima da cidade é mesotérmico, com tendência para megatérmico, correspondendo ao tipo Cwa de Köppen. O solo predominante é um latossol vermelho-escuro, originado pela decomposição do Arenito de Bauru (Cretáceo superior). Entre as 76 espécies apresentadas nesta primeira lista, contam-se 23 próprias do cerrado (das quais, 14 exclusivas) e 20 invasoras (arvenses ou ruderais), distribuídas em 76 gêneros e 34 famílas.The authors present the first list of vascular plants collected by them in the region of São José do Rio Preto county, State of São Paulo, Brazil. This list of 76 species includes 23 ones of cerrado (14 of these exclusively of cerrado), and 20 species of adventitious plants (arvenses or ruderales). The 76 species are distributed in 67 genera and 34 families. The climate of the county is mesothermic, tending to megathermic, corresponding to the Koppen\u27s Cwa type. The predominant soil is a dark-red latosol, originated from decomposition of Arenito de Bauru (Bauru sandy soil of upper Cretaceous)