Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun biology An adaptation that warns off potential predators; especially such a warning colouration

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

apo- + semat(ic) + -ism

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Examples

  • Prominent examples of animals displaying aposematism are bumblebees and coral snakes.

    Aposematism 2008

  • "Aposematism" was one; and the inveterate punster in me thought, "Oh, yeah, left-wing aposematism."

    Archive 2008-06-01 2008

  • Because a few days ago, in a whimsical mood, I posted an article, "Left-wing aposematism," announcing that I had been accredited as a blogger to the upcoming Conservative convention, and wondering what the hell I ought to wear.

    Archive 2008-06-01 2008

  • And come to think of it, that may be all the aposematism I need. posted by Dr.

    Archive 2008-06-01 2008

  • Deterrence is a military form of what biologists call aposematism.

    The Guardian World News George Monbiot 2010

  • But as more evidence accumulates, scientists are finding they support the hypothesis that specialization to small-sized prey, including ants but especially mites, was a first evolutionary step, followed by evolution of alkaloid-sequestering, aposematism and diurnality.

    The Guardian World News 2010

  • Horizontal black and white bands on, for example skunks and stink badgers are probably a text-book example of warning colouration (or aposematism).

    Environment news, comment and analysis | guardian.co.uk 2009

  • �That is, the handicap principle, aposematism, cryptis and mimicry.

    Warren Ellis 2009

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