Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0002-1661-001X
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
8-31-2026
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Biology - (Ph.D.)
Department
Federated Department of Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Phillip Barden
Second Advisor
Gareth J. Russell
Third Advisor
Marci Meixler
Fourth Advisor
Sara Ruane
Fifth Advisor
J. Angel Soto-Centeno
Abstract
Venomous coral snakes and their lookalikes are often regarded as a classic example of Batesian mimicry, whereby a harmless species imitates a harmful species. The existing literature regarding coral snake resemblance presents a divisive stance on whether Batesian mimicry is the primary driver of shared color patterns or if alternative factors are responsible. While recent literature largely favors the Batesian hypothesis, empirical support remains inconsistent, and the specific geographic and interpretation of the conditions required for mimicry lacks consensus within the scientific community.
To evaluate the mechanisms maintaining these phenotypes, a quantitative, multivariate framework was utilized to analyze 400 museum specimens from five venomous coral snake models (Micrurus) and five harmless lookalikes across an environmentally complex Neotropical landscape. Using digital image analysis, components of the ringed coloration pattern were quantified independently across two distinct anatomical modules: the body and the tail. Partial Mantel tests, utilizing an intraspecific conditioning covariate, evaluated interspecific phenotypic dissimilarity against geographic proximity, directional range overlap, and multivariate environmental distance across aggregate macroscale and individual species-pair scales.
Analyses reveal that a universal correlation between geographic proximity and phenotypic similarity is absent across high-diversity communities. At a macroscale level, both geographic distance (r ≤ 0.0135, p ≥ 0.1383) and directional range overlap (r ≤ - 0.0080, p ≥ 0.8678) are negligible, non-significant predictors of resemblance. Conversely, macroecological parameters emerge as a consistent but weak large-scale predictor of phenotypic similarity across all anatomical module comparisons (r ≥ 0.0253, p ≤ 0.0270). Deconstructing these aggregate trends into 25 discrete model-lookalike pairs uncovers a heterogeneous mosaic of evolutionary dynamics. While some species pairs display whole-body environmental concordance, other comparisons exhibit complete phenotypic independence or pronounced anatomical modularity.
Body-pattern resemblance may be tied to shared thermoregulation or visibility requirements influencing aposematic or cryptic signaling, whereas tail-centric tracking reflects potential selection for visual efficacy during specialized defensive tail displays. These findings challenge the traditional view that color pattern resemblance between coral snakes and their lookalikes is a direct result of Batesian mimicry. Instead, color patterns in these neotropical systems are likely mediated by a combination of behavioral ecology, phylogenetic constraints, and competing selective pressures.
Recommended Citation
Sena, Anthony, "Geographic and environmnetal influences on color pattern similarity between coral snakes (genus: micrurus) and their lookalikes" (2026). Dissertations. 1898.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/dissertations/1898
