Dr. David Pfennig, Professor of Biology, University of North Carolina
Perhaps nature’s most spectacular adaptations are examples of Batesian mimicry. Batesian mimicry evolves when individuals of a palatable species gain a selective advantage because they resemble a toxic species that predators avoid. This talk explores Batesian mimicry among deadly coral snakes and their lookalikes and asks: How does mimicry evolve in the first place? Why is mimicry often imprecise? What role does mimicry play in the origin of new species? Author of Evolution’s Wedge: Competition and the Origins of Diversity, Dr. Pfennig’s research focuses on the interplay between evolution, ecology
The Cleveland Museum of Art is presenting a first-of-its-kind fashion exhibition features nearly 40 works ranging from 17th-century historical garments to contemporary…