> [!abstract] > Aposematism is the advertising by an animal, whether terrestrial or marine, to potential predators that it is not worth attacking or eating. This unprofitability may consist of any defenses which make the prey difficult to kill and eat, such as toxicity, venom, foul taste or smell, sharp spines, or aggressive nature. These advertising signals may take the form of conspicuous coloration, sounds, odors, or other perceivable characteristics. Aposematic signals are beneficial for both predator and prey, since both avoid potential harm. (Wikipedia, 2024). > [!note] > I like this concept for its applicability to the design of human interfaces where the user's attention needs to be drawn to potentially harmful uses of the product (e.g., using a browser to visit an unsafe web site, or driving a car over the speed limit). > [!note] > What is also fascinating is that a harmless species (the mimic) may evolve to resemble a harmful or unpalatable species (the model) to avoid predation, in a phenomenon called **Batesian mimicry**. In this relationship, only the mimic benefits, and if mimics are abundant, they dilute the predators' learned avoidance of the harmful model, which hurts the latter. > > This is different from **Müllerian mimicry**, where two harmful or unpalatable species evolve to resemble each other, reinforcing their shared warning signals to predators. In this relationship, both species benefit as the shared aposematism reinforces the predator education and the warning signal. >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): — >- **West** (similar): [[Handicap principle]] >- **East** (different): — >- **South** (downstream): —