Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

Which term refers to organisms evolving to avoid predation by mimicking poisonous species?

1. Mimetic adaptation

2. Behavioral adaptation

3. Cryptic coloration

4. Survivor traits

The correct answer is: Mimetic adaptation

Mimetic adaptation refers specifically to the evolutionary strategy where organisms adapt to avoid predation by mimicking the appearance of poisonous or harmful species. This form of adaptation is particularly advantageous as it confers a survival benefit by misleading potential predators into thinking that the mimicking organism is also toxic or unpalatable, thereby reducing the likelihood of being attacked. In the context of the other terms, behavioral adaptation generally refers to changes in the actions or behaviors of an organism that enhance survival and reproduction but does not specifically pertain to visual mimicry. Cryptic coloration involves coloration patterns that help an organism blend into its environment to avoid detection, which is different from mimicking harmful organisms. Survivor traits are a broader category that encompasses various attributes that aid in survival but are not limited to the mimicry of poisonous species. Thus, the focus on mimicry makes the first term the most accurate choice for the described phenomenon.