Multiple models generate a geographical mosaic of resemblance in a Batesian mimicry complex.

Batesian mimics-benign species that receive protection from predation by resembling a dangerous species-often occur with multiple model species. Here, we examine whether geographical variation in the number of local models generates geographical variation in mimic-model resemblance. In areas with multiple models, selection might be relaxed or even favour imprecise mimicry relative to areas with only one model.

Evaluating the utility of camera traps in field studies of predation.

Artificial prey techniques-wherein synthetic replicas of real organisms are placed in natural habitats-are widely used to study predation in the field. We investigated the extent to which videography could provide additional information to such studies. As a part of studies on aposematism and mimicry of coral snakes () and their mimics, observational data from 109 artificial snake prey were collected from video-recording camera traps in three locations in the Americas ( forest, Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Ecuador; premontane wet forest, Nahá Reserve, Mexico; longleaf pine forest, Southeastern Coastal Plain, North Carolina, USA).

An Alternative to Adaptation by Sexual Selection: Habitat Choice.

Adaptation in mating signals and preferences has generally been explained by sexual selection. We propose that adaptation in such mating traits might also arise via a non-mutually exclusive process wherein individuals preferentially disperse to habitats where they experience high mating performance. Here we explore the evolutionary implications of this process.

Is the future already here? The impact of climate change on the distribution of the eastern coral snake ().

Anthropogenic climate change is a significant global driver of species distribution change. Although many species have undergone range expansion at their poleward limits, data on several taxonomic groups are still lacking. A common method for studying range shifts is using species distribution models to evaluate current, and predict future, distributions.

Comment on Van Belleghem et al. 2016: Habitat choice mechanisms in speciation and other forms of diversification.

Several mechanisms of habitat choice can contribute to speciation. Empirical studies of habitat choice mechanisms provide important insights into the relative roles of these mechanisms in speciation. A recent paper by Van Belleghem and colleagues characterizes the mechanistic basis of a component of habitat choice-departure behavior-in two salt marsh beetle ecotypes that inhabit different environments.

Batesian mimicry promotes pre- and postmating isolation in a snake mimicry complex.

We evaluated whether Batesian mimicry promotes early-stage reproductive isolation. Many Batesian mimics occur not only in sympatry with their model (as expected), but also in allopatry. As a consequence of local adaptation within both sympatry (where mimetic traits are favored) and allopatry (where nonmimetic traits are favored), divergent, predator-mediated natural selection should disfavor immigrants between these selective environments as well as any between-environment hybrids.

Rapid evolution of mimicry following local model extinction.

Batesian mimicry evolves when individuals of a palatable species gain the selective advantage of reduced predation because they resemble a toxic species that predators avoid. Here, we evaluated whether-and in which direction-Batesian mimicry has evolved in a natural population of mimics following extirpation of their model. We specifically asked whether the precision of coral snake mimicry has evolved among kingsnakes from a region where coral snakes recently (1960) went locally extinct.