Aggressive mimicry by the juvenile of the redmouth grouper, Aethaloperca rogaa (Serranidae)

Snyder D.B., Randall J.E., Michael S.W.

Date de parution: juin 2001
Volume: 25
Number: 3
Pagination: 227-232
Editeur: Société Française d’Ichtyologie
doi: https://doi.org/10.26028/cybium/2001-253-003
Résumé

The juvenile of the Redmouth Grouper, Aethaloperca rogaa (Forsskål, 1775), which is colored differently than the adult, closely resembles several small, non predatory reef fishes (Centropyge spp., Pomacentrus spp., and Stegastes spp.). We argue that this resemblance is not simple convergence or coincidence, but mimicry. The mimic and models have overlapping geographic ranges, the mimic and the models occupy the same habitat, and the mimic alters its normal behaviour to enhance imitation of the models. By resembling small reef fishes A. rogaa gains the advantage of disguise when foraging for small fishes, thus this is an example of aggressive mimicry.

Mots-clés: Aethaloperca rogaa - Behavior - ISEW - ISW - Mimicry - Serranidae
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