Mimicry: Status of a classical evolutionary paradigm.

Accounts of mimetic relationships reflect the traditional enthusiasm with which protective adaptations are described. However, our understanding of mimicry remains largely untested. Recent reviews of mimicry embrace many diverse phenomena, from tactics for defence and foraging, to pollination and mating. Selection for these mimetic phenomena is very different in each case and it is important to distinguish among categories of trophic, interspecific mimicry and sexually selected, nontrophic, intraspecific mimicry. Once categories are distinguished, the diversity of selection should clarify misunderstood concepts, such as the 'Batesian-Mallerian mimicry spectrum'. Experimental evidence of the selective value of mimicry is needed so that the advantages to mimics are clear when mimetic prey are confronted with real predator diversity. Such evidence should clarify the debate on how aposematism and mimicry evolve.