Müllerian

adjective

Mül·​le·​ri·​an myü-ˈlir-ē-ən 

mi-,

ˌmə-

variants or Mullerian or müllerian or mullerian

: of, relating to, or being mimicry that exists between two or more inedible or dangerous species (as of butterflies or bees) and that is considered in evolutionary theory to be a mechanism which reduces loss to predation by simplifying the warning colors and patterns a predator must recognize

Mullerian mimicry differs from Batesian mimicry in that all the species in the complex are unpalatable, they cannot be distinguished by predators, and they must be found in the same place at the same time.

—Arthur V. Evans and Charles L. Bellamy

a Müllerian mimic

Word History

Etymology

Fritz Müller †1897 German zoologist

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Müllerian

adjective

Mül·​le·​ri·​an

variants or Mullerian or müllerian or mullerian also Muellerian or muellerian

myü-ˈlir-ē-ən, mi-, mə- 

: of, relating to, derived from, or involving the Müllerian duct

Müllerian anomalies

Mullerian aplasia