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How does the male Corynopoma riisei fish use a false prey signal during courtship?
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mimicry
Heliconius butterflies demonstrating Müllerian mimicry, a form of mimicry where one or more species exhibit closely similar warning systems. In this case, wing patterning and coloration among the species appear very similar.
In the South American characoid fish Corynopoma riisei, the male utilizes a form of mimicry within the same species to facilitate mating. The male possesses an elongated gill cover that forms a thin, whitish stalk ending in a small, blackish plate.1
During courtship, the male raises this stalk and waves it in a jerky motion to attract the female. The female perceives the tip of the stalk as an edible object, such as a tiny crustacean. As she approaches the male to grasp this perceived prey, she is positioned correctly for mating to occur.1