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Is the aardwolf a mimic of the hyaena?

Abstract

MIMICRY is a phenomenon of evolutionary convergence or parallelism by which an edible mimic species gains some measure of protection from predators by virtue of its close resemblance to a model species which is unpalatable (that is, distasteful or dangerous)1–3. Predators learn to avoid the unpalatable model species after one or more adverse experiences with it, and any mimic species that resembles the model sufficiently closely will likewise be avoided.

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GINGERICH, P. Is the aardwolf a mimic of the hyaena?. Nature 253, 191–192 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/253191a0

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