Mullerian mimicry

Mullerian mimicry is a type of mimicry whereby one or or more species develop a similar appearance. Each of the species is either poisonous, dangerous or unpalatable to predators. Predators may only encounter one specific species but protection is conferred to the other others due to their similar appearance.

Mullerian mimicry differs from Batesian mimicry because all species involved are unpleasant to predators.

A photograph of Heliconius melpomene. Many butterflies in the Heliconius genus are Mullerian mimics.
Photograph by Wildcat Dunny licensed under Creative Commons.

Related terms

• Batesian mimicry
• Eyespot
• Mimicry
• Thanatosis

Related groups of terms

• General biology

See other words beginning with M