Colour and pattern similarity in mimicry: evidence for a hierarchical discriminative learning of different components

Many aposematic species combine their bright colours with a black pattern that produces internal contrasts. Studies have shown that birds often pay attention to some parts of a signalling pattern and disregard others, which could be of importance in Batesian mimicry, where a palatable species copies the visual appearance of a distasteful model in order to deceive predators. We used domestic chicks, Gallus gallus domesticus, and artificial prey signals to investigate whether predators use different warning colour components for discrimination depending on the degree of information about prey quality they convey. This study supports earlier findings of the importance of colour for discrimination among prey but also provides evidence that other less associable signal properties such as internal patterning, when holding valuable discriminatory information, can be used to assess prey quality in a hierarchical manner. The results also suggest that, in certain circumstances, the presence of a palatable mimic can have positive effects on learning, resulting in ‘super-Müllerian’ effects. We propose that the degree of selection for perfect mimicry may be dependent on the proportion of well-educated predators in the population.

► Evidence for a hierarchical discriminative learning in aposematism. ► Indications of a ‘super-Müllerian’ effect when a palatable mimic is present. ► Selection for perfect mimicry may depend on the proportion of educated predators. ► Support of earlier findings of the importance of colour for discrimination.