School-oriented mimicry, a new type of mimicry in fishes

Abstract

The venomous Red Sea blenny Meiacanthus nigrolineatus is avoided by predatory reef fishes and is mimicked by other blenniid species. M. nigrolineatus juveniles (< 20 mm) possess a distinct colour patterndark stripes and a basicaudal blotchwhich is different from that of adults and closely resembles the colour patterns of various cardinal fish species (Apogonidae), among whose shools it is frequently found. It is suggested that solitary fish species may mimic schooling species and gain protection by mingling into their schools or aggregations. Some hitherto unclassified cases of mimicry are discussed and included in a new type of mimicry: school-oriented mimicry.