automimicry
noun
au·to·mim·ic·ry
| \ ¦ȯ-tō-¦mi-mə-krē
\
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Definition of automimicry
biology
1
: mimicry occurring between members of the same species
In automimicry, both the model and the mimic exist within a given species; usually one sex exhibits a morphological feature that serves as the (evolutionary) model for members of the other sex.— Richard C. Francis, Why Men Won't Ask for Directions: The Seductions of Sociobiology, 2004
2
: mimicry occurring between parts of the same organism
To look more fearsome, some even embrace automimicry—shaping other parts of their body to look like their actual teeth or horns.— Kurt Kleiner, New Scientist, 30 Aug. 2003
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