Why do tangs mimic angels?

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Amphiprion

Contain the Excitement...
Feb 14, 2007
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Mobile, Alabama
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Andrew
So true, Grins... Someone when picking names for fish more or less assumed that this mimic coloration evolved in tangs because of the angel coloration, but it is also possible that the mimic coloration in those tangs evolved independently of the angel coloration.

Well, true to a degree. All evolution happens by circumstance and chance--it certainly isn't a guided or forceful (and by no means conscious) thing. A mutation chanced along that happened to be advantageous for the tang juvenile. Because of that, more survived and passed on that similar allele. They even found similar benefits from mimicking other angels, as well. This is obviously dependent the area the angel and tang are found in and coincides with angel populations. They don't do it on purpose, but it was obviously advantageous so the trait sort of "stuck." It is possible that the coloration developed separately, but it is unlikely given that these fishes' habitat now overlaps. There is far too much evidence to the contrary, especially given the information we have on other batesian mimics.
 
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