Vereecken Nicolas J, Schiestl Florian P
Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology, Free University of Brussels, CP 160/12, Avenue F. D. Roosevelt 50, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 May 27;105(21):7484-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0800194105.
The theory of mimicry predicts that selection favors signal refinement in mimics to optimally match the signals released by their specific model species. We provide here chemical and behavioral evidence that a sexually deceptive orchid benefits from its mimetic imperfection to its co-occurring and specific bee model by triggering a stronger response in male bees, which react more intensively to the similar, but novel, scent stimulus provided by the orchid.
拟态理论预测,自然选择有利于拟态者优化信号,以最佳匹配其特定模型物种发出的信号。我们在此提供化学和行为学证据,表明一种具有性欺骗行为的兰花因其拟态的不完美而受益,它能触发雄蜂更强烈的反应,雄蜂对兰花提供的类似但新颖的气味刺激反应更为强烈,从而对与其同域分布的特定蜜蜂模型产生影响。