a term denoting a similarity between two closely related animal species, not based on convergent evolution

The reason for the emergence of mimicry is usually protection from predators. Mimicry given by coloration is also influenced by the behavior of evolutionary predecessor species.

• Protective coloration (cryptic coloration, homochromy) or protective body shape (homotypy), by which some animals imitate leaves, thorns, twigs or other objects on which they live and completely merge with them. For example, the caterpillars of numerous butterflies (especially whiteflies) imitate twigs, some weevils and spiders resemble bird droppings, grasshoppers resemble twigs, and leafhoppers resemble leaves.
• Protective coloration, shape of the body or its parts, or behavior of some animals, which thus imitate other, poisonous, inedible or dangerous animals, thereby protecting themselves from their natural enemies (so-called Batesian mimicry). For example, the hornet's nest or some carpenter bees imitate wasps.
• Warning coloration, body shape or behavior of poisonous, inedible or otherwise dangerous animals, thereby warning natural enemies of attack and subsequent poisoning or stinging (so-called warning dress or Müllerian mimicry). This is a warning without imitating a model.