Batesian Mimicry
A harmless species evolving to resemble a harmful or unpalatable species, gaining protection through predator avoidance without bearing the cost of actual defenses.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 2 chapters:
"Viceroys, which are palatable, exploit this learned avoidance by mimicking monarch coloration. This is Batesian mimicry - harmless species mimicking harmful ones. The deception works as long as mimics remain rare relative to models; if viceroys become too common, preda..."
"... black bands - closely resembles that of the highly venomous coral snake native to the same region. But the milk snake is harmless. Its coloration is Batesian mimicry: a dishonest signal exploiting predators' learned avoidance of coral snakes. The milk snake benefits from the coral snake's dangerous reputation with..."
Biological Context
Non-venomous king snakes mimic venomous coral snakes. Harmless flies mimic stinging bees. Batesian mimicry is a form of deception that works because predators can't easily distinguish mimics from models. Too many mimics degrades the signal.
Business Application
Business Batesian mimicry: appearing to have capabilities you lack. Startups that look established, generalists that appear specialist. Works until tested, then credibility collapses.