Not the sincerest form of flattery;The puzzle of imperfect Batesian mimicry

We run events for both the university community and the public. From science public lectures, policy panel discussions to wider events showcasing the best of our research.

The Institute for Policy and Engagement

Cheating is rife in nature, with prey imitating less palatable species to deceive their prey. But why do they sometimes get it so wrong?

B1, School of Physics & Astronomy

<p>This form of deception, known as Batesian mimicry, provides some exquisite examples of evolution by natural selection, and has fascinated biologists since Darwin’s time. However, many conspicuous mimics are far from perfect imitations of their supposed models. So why have they not evolved to be better? Here, Dr Tom Reader will explore possible answers to this question, and show that imperfect mimicry is a powerful test-case for our understanding of how natural selection shapes the appearance of organisms in the natural world.</p>

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}