Huey R B, Pianka E R
Science. 1977 Jan 14;195(4274):201-3. doi: 10.1126/science.831272.
Adult Eremias lugubris in southern Africa are concealingly colored and move with a typical lizard gait, but the jet-black and white juveniles are conspicuous and forage actively with arched backs. In color, gait, and size, juveniles mimic "oogpister" beetles (Carabidae: Anthia) that spray an acidic, pungent fluid when molested. This unique mimicry, which is believed to be the first reported case of a terrestrial vertebrate mimicking an invertebrate, seems to reduce predation on juvenile lizards.
非洲南部的成年黑沙蜥体色具有隐蔽性，行动时有着典型的蜥蜴步态，但黑色与白色相间的幼蜥却很显眼，它们会弓着背积极觅食。在颜色、步态和体型方面，幼蜥模仿“oogpister”甲虫（步甲科：扁足步甲属），这种甲虫在受到骚扰时会喷出一种酸性刺鼻液体。这种独特的拟态，据信是陆地脊椎动物模仿无脊椎动物的首个报道案例，似乎减少了幼蜥遭受的捕食。
