Some Possible Cases of Escape Mimicry in Neotropical Butterflies

Author(s)

Pinheiro, C. E. G. ^[1] ; Freitas, A. V. L. ^{[2, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Brasilia, Inst Zool, Dept Zool, BR-70910900 Brasilia, DF - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Biol Anim, Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Museu Zool, Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Neotropical Entomology; v. 43, n. 5, p. 393-398, OCT 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

The possibility that escape or evasive mimicry evolved in butterflies and other prey insects in a similar fashion to classical Batesian and Mullerian mimicry has long been advanced in the literature. However, there is a general disagreement among lepidopterists and evolutionary biologists on whether or not escape mimicry exists, as well as in which mimicry rings this form of mimicry has evolved. Here, we review some purported cases of escape mimicry in Neotropical butterflies and suggest new mimicry rings involving several species of Archaeoprepona, Prepona, and Doxocopa (the ``bright blue bands{''} ring) and species of Colobura and Hypna (the ``creamy bands{''} ring) where the palatability of butterflies, their ability to escape predator attacks, geographic distribution, relative abundance, and co-occurrence in the same habitats strongly suggest that escape mimicry is involved. In addition, we also indicate other butterfly taxa whose similarities of coloration patterns could be due to escape mimicry and would constitute important case studies for future investigation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/50225-3 - Natural history, phylogeny and conservation of Neotropical Lepidoptera
• Grantee: André Victor Lucci Freitas
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants