An Austroperla cyrene, a cyanide-producing insect, is depicted at the top of an image, followed by a mimic Zelandoperla fenestrata in the middle, and a non-imitator Zelandoperla fenestrata at the bottom. Image courtesy of the University of Otago.
A team of scientists has uncovered the novel ‘deception’ method used by a certain insect from New Zealand to dodge predators – by pretending to be a known highly toxic species. In nature, harmful species often signal their danger with vivid, contrasting colors like black, white, and yellow, as frequently seen in bees and wasps.
The New Zealand stonefly Austroperla cyrene, which produces cyanide, also presents these pronounced ‘alarm’ colors to deter potential predators.
According to a recent study in Molecular Ecology by researchers from the Department of Zoology at the University of Otago, an unrelated, harmless species uses ‘deception’ by copying the look of this harmful insect.
The study’s main author, Dr. Brodie Foster, points out that the Zelandoperla fenestrata stonefly attempts to evade predation by closely imitating a toxic species.
“Wild birds find it hard to tell the difference between the toxic and non-toxic species, so they usually steer clear of both. To an untrained observer, the toxic species and its mimics are almost indistinguishable,” he says.
The non-toxic mimic Zelandoperla fenestrata stonefly (left) displays a similar ‘warning’ coloration as the cyanide-producing Austroperla cyrene (right). Image courtesy of the University of Otago.
The scientists utilized genomic techniques to identify a critical genetic mutation in a coloration gene that separates the deceptive from the non-deceptive species.
This genetic variation enables the deceptive species to adopt different tactics in various regions.
However, the strategy known as Batesian mimicry doesn’t always work, warns co-author Dr. Graham McCulloch.
“Our research suggests that this ‘deception’ tactic is not successful in areas where the toxic species is uncommon,” he notes.
Professor Jon Waters, another co-author, indicates that deception can be risky.
“If the deceivers start to outnumber the toxic species, then predators will quickly catch on – it’s a delicate balance,” he remarks.
The team, funded by the Marsden, is investigating how environmental changes are causing swift evolutionary shifts in New Zealand’s indigenous species.
Reference: “ebony underpins Batesian mimicry in melanic stoneflies” by Brodie J. Foster, Graham A. McCulloch, Yasmin Foster, Gracie C. Kroos, Tania M. King and Jonathan M. Waters, 28 July 2023, Molecular Ecology.
DOI: 10.1111/mec.17085
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Batesian mimicry
What is the unique survival strategy of the New Zealand insect mentioned in the text?
The New Zealand insect uses Batesian mimicry, imitating a toxic species’ warning colors to avoid predation.
How do toxic species in nature typically advertise their harmful nature?
Toxic species usually display bright and contrasting colors like black, white, and yellow, similar to wasps and bees.
What is the specific insect from New Zealand mentioned in the study?
The insect is the cyanide-producing stonefly Austroperla cyrene, known for its ‘warning’ colors.
How does the non-toxic Zelandoperla fenestrata stonefly benefit from its mimicry?
By closely resembling the poisonous species, Zelandoperla fenestrata stonefly hopes to avoid falling prey to predators.
What genetic variation allows the deceptive species to use different strategies in different regions?
A key genetic mutation in a coloration gene distinguishes cheats and non-cheats, enabling different mimicry strategies.
Is the Batesian mimicry strategy foolproof?
No, the study suggests that the deception tactic doesn’t always work, particularly in regions where the toxic species is rare.
What potential risks does the deceptive tactic pose?
If the deceptive species outnumber the toxic species, predators may catch on to the mimicry, making it a dangerous game.
What is the main goal of the researchers from the University of Otago?
The researchers aim to understand how environmental changes are driving rapid evolutionary shifts in New Zealand’s native species.
More about Batesian mimicry
- University of Otago: University of Otago
- Molecular Ecology: Molecular Ecology
- “ebony underpins Batesian mimicry in melanic stoneflies”: Research Paper
