Evolution
Aposematism
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Warning coloration or signals that advertise an organism's unprofitability to predators, typically indicating toxicity or other defenses. The biological foundation of deterrence strategy.
Biological Context
Aposematic signals must be distinctive, memorable, and honest. Poison dart frogs, monarch butterflies, and coral snakes use bright reds, oranges, and yellows that contrast sharply with their environments. Predators that survive encounters with these species form lasting aversions. The signals benefit both predator (avoids harm) and prey (avoids attack). Müllerian mimicry occurs when multiple toxic species converge on similar warning patterns; Batesian mimicry occurs when harmless species copy dangerous ones.