Mimicry is exhibited in multiple scales, ranging from molecular, to organismal, and then to human society. ‘Batesian’-type mimicry entails a conflict of interest between sender and receiver, reflected in a deceptive mimic signal. ‘Müllerian’-type mimicry occurs when there is perfect common interest between sender and receiver in a particular type of encounter, manifested by an honest co-mimic signal. Using a signalling games approach, simulations show that invasion by Batesian mimics will make Müllerian mimicry unstable, in a coevolutionary chase. We use these results to better understand the deceptive strategies of SARS-CoV-2 and their key role in the COVID-19 pandemic. At the biomolecular level, we explain how cellularization promotes Müllerian molecular mimicry, and discourages Batesian molecular mimicry. A wide range of processes analogous to cellularization are presented; these might represent a manner of reducing oscillatory instabilities. Lastly, we identify examples of mimicry in human society that might be addressed using a signalling game approach.

模仿以多种尺度展示，从分子到有机体，再到人类社会。'Batesian' 型模仿需要发送者和接收者之间的利益冲突，反映在欺骗性的模仿信号中。当发送者和接收者在特定类型的相遇中存在完美的共同兴趣时，就会出现“缪勒”型模仿，表现为诚实的共同模仿信号。使用信号博弈方法，模拟表明贝茨拟态的入侵将使缪勒拟态不稳定，在共同进化的追逐中。我们使用这些结果来更好地了解 SARS-CoV-2 的欺骗策略及其在 COVID-19 大流行中的关键作用。在生物分子水平上，我们解释了细胞化如何促进 Müllerian 分子模拟，并阻止 Batesian 分子模拟。提出了与细胞化类似的广泛过程；这些可能代表了一种减少振荡不稳定性的方式。最后，我们确定了可以使用信号游戏方法解决的人类社会模仿的例子。