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Combatting cuckoos

Researchers at Harvard University discovered that many birds targeted by the Common Cuckoo have evolved recognizable egg patterns to distinguish their own eggs from those laid by cuckoo cheats. These signatures provide a strong defense against cuckoo mimicry, helping host birds reject foreign eggs and protect their broods.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 18, 2014

Fish mimics octopus that mimics fish

Scientists have recorded the first association between a black-marble jawfish and a mimic octopus. The jawfish sticks close to the octopus for protection, allowing it to venture away from its burrow to look for food. This unique case highlights the complex interactions within coral reef ecosystems.

SourceCalifornia Academy of Sciences·JournalCoral Reefs·DateJan 4, 2012

Money and mimicry

Researchers found that when people are reminded of money, they perceive mimicry as a threat to their personal freedom, leading them to respond antagonistically. This could have important implications for social bonding and forming interpersonal relationships.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 29, 2011

Orchid wears the scent of death

Researchers have discovered that the orchid Satyrium pumilum uses carrion mimicry to attract specific species of flies for pollination. The study found that only female flesh-flies were attracted to the orchids, and that scent plays a crucial role in guiding them into the right position to pick up pollen.

SourceOxford University Press UK·JournalAnnals of Botany·DateMar 14, 2011

How the butterflies got their spots

Researchers found tiny genetic regions, or hotspots, responsible for the butterflies' identical wing patterns, challenging previous assumptions about evolution. The study reveals a flexible genetic mechanism underlying this remarkable example of adaptation.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateFeb 5, 2010

Moths mimic sounds to survive

Researchers discovered that tiger moths use ultrasonic clicks to warn bats of their bad taste, allowing them to survive in a predator-rich environment. The study provides the first definitive evidence of acoustic mimicry as a defensive strategy.

SourceWake Forest University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 30, 2007