David Blicq  dblicq@rrc.mb.ca  (update 01/04/2010)         DIRECTORY I BIO I NOTICE BOARD

There are countless examples of areas where nature has a significant lead in product design. These include materials design, molecular composition, novel application of biomaterials in unique settings and numerous other examples.

Early humans learned extensively from observation of the natural processes which surrounded them. As fundamental scavengers, the survival of early peoples depended on luck, perseverance and taking advantage of the immediate environment. One of the most useful examples for early peoples was found in the observation of the flora and fauna around them. The hides of fur-bearing animals provided warmth, in later years replaced by wool and eventually emulated as synthetic polymers. Not all examples of human biomimicry (biomimetrics) involve practical outcomes - many early peoples dreamed of flight and made many, often disasterous, attempts at achieving this end.

Biomimicry in the Natural World:

Mimicry is by no means limited to pre- and current humanity. Numerous organisms display this type of behaviour.  Animal mimicry is often described using two main models:

1. Batesian mimicry: a harmless organism / species mimics a toxic species.

2. Mullerian mimicry:  two equally toxic species mimic each other to the benefit of each.

One of the more commonly known examples of animal mimicry is seen in the similarities of the Monarch and Viceroy butterflies.

VICEROY 

            MONARCH           

The Monarch includes Milk Thistle in it's diet: incorporating glycosides which make the species quite unpalatable for many predators. The Monarch advertises this negative feature (aposematistic behaviour) with a brightly-coloured wing display. Potential predators then tend to avoid the species. The Viceroy butterfly, likely through passive natural selection has evolved a remarkably similar phenotypical (outward) appearance to it's more unpalatable cousin. As a result, the Viceroy also enjoys greatly reduced predation based on a purely visual similarity to a potentially toxic meal.

In the reality of the natural environment mimicry  may be less of a conscious strategy and more of a simple matter of elimination: all organisms not displaying a message of toxicity have been consumed, leaving only "mimics" in the gene pool.

Examples of Animal Mimicry

The examples of animal mimicry are found everywhere. A few selected examples are presented below:

 

Defensive Mimicry

Camouflage: Katydid emulating a leaf.  Superb camouflage incorporating considerable morphological  

 

Camouflage: Walking Stick emulating it's namesake.  This insect creates a significant challenge for potential predators with very strong mimicry of its' natural environment

 

Scare Tactics

The Eye-Oh moth uses intimidation.  Predators are often startled away from the enormous "eyes" the moth presents.

Predatory Mimicry

The Angler Fish mimics a worm to lure its next meal. In addition, the fish employs significant camouflage to complete

 

Intelligent Mimicry

 With most of the above examples it is clear that evolutionary forces have created many aspects of the mimicry displayed. In contrast, there are animal species which display rational deployment of mimicry as a means of adaptation to specific circumstances. An excellent example of this behaviour is found in the Indo-Malaysian Octopus. This creature has the ability to selectively alter its form, colouration, shape and even behaviour to imitate a wide range of organisms and biota. In the top pictures the octopus is emulating a sole (fish) while in the bottom photographs it mimics a highly venomous sea-snake.

Another example of conscious or intelligent mimicry  includes birds (Robins) which have been observed watching and then imitating the predatory skills displayed by King Fishers.

Whether by process of evolutionary elimination or achieved through conscious choice it is apparent that biomimicry is a nearly universal tendency of successful species. With respect to evolutionary economy this clearly makes sense: imitating the evolutionary "winners" is a direct advantage in personal and special survival.

Humanity, for all its logic and technical accomplishments has much to learn from the natural environment as a role model. Using this evolutionary proving ground to finding relevant solutions to modern challenges is the target of biomimcry and biomimetrics.