Deceive, and be deceived!
In their struggle for life, many species, for example prokaryotes, plants and animals, defend themselves by producing substances which may poison or disorientate (potential) enemies (grazers/predators etc), or signal information which puts (potential) enemies on the wrong track. Examples of poisonous/ disorientating substances include prussic acid (e.g. almonds) or morphine (papaver), examples of 'false' visual cues include the appearance of harmless hoverflies which strongly resemble 'dangerous' wasps or certain orchid flowers which resemble the female sex organs of certain insects ('mimicry'). Misleading is an essential part of communication systems.
Schuiling
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Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, A Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands.
D000329:Advertising; D001504:Beauty; D003469:Culture; D008192:Deception; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male