Romfilatelia introduces into on Tuesday, November 12th, this year, an interesting and original postage stamps issue with a subject that defines a fauna area: Homochromy and Mimicry.
Homochromy is the phenomenon by which a species camouflages itself by having a colour, either permanent or temporary, that blends with its environment. Permanent or variable homochromatic colouring, depending on the environment, helps specimens remain undetected, which increases their chances of survival.
There are different situations: permanent homochromatic coloration throughout life (grasshoppers, grasshoppers, desert snakes), seasonal winter-summer coloration (ermine, weasel), adaptable, changeable coloration (fish, chameleons).
Mimicry has a more complex definition, being a similar phenomenon by which a species imitates, in order to gain an advantage (protection, predation, etc.), the colour and sometimes the shape of natural elements. Thus, some species imitate the colour of their substrate (with homochromy being a particular case of mimicry), while others mimic its shape or texture. There are also forms of mimicry where one animal species imitates another species – perhaps a more dangerous, toxic, or venomous one – to be mistaken for it and avoided by potential predators.
Postage stamps feature four species in their images:
The European Tree Frog (Hyla arborea) illustrated on the stamp with the face value of Lei 5, is most often green but can change its colour to brown, grey, etc., depending on the colour of the substrate and other factors. It is an arboreal frog, found in Romania from lowlands up to over 1,000 meters in the Carpathian Mountains. It climbs trees and can stick to the undersides of sturdy leaves.
The Mimic Octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) – depicted on the stamp with the face value of Lei 6. It changes its colour, skin texture, posture, and movements, actively mimicking several dangerous species. Native to the Indo-Pacific region, it is renowned not only for its ease in disguising itself but also for the number of species it can imitate. It feeds on small fish and crustaceans.
The Seagrass Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus) – represented on the stamp with the face value of Lei 13. It imitates the colour and even texture of underwater plants, with protrusions that can retract or extend, thereby altering its outer appearance. Its coloration is also variable, most often marbled with green and brown. It lives in tropical waters and feeds on small invertebrates.
The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) – illustrated on the stamp with the face value of Lei 25, is found in the northern tundra regions. It has a white colour, allowing it to easily and quickly camouflage in the snow. It is a bird of prey that hunts rodents like lemmings, as well as partridges and hares.
The Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus sameiti), species featured in the First Day Cover graphics, is found only in Madagascar. This type of lizard is also appreciated as a pet. It imitates tree bark through its colour, texture, skin protrusions, and can change its colour. It feeds on insects and other small invertebrates, including tiny snails.
The European Mantis (Mantis religiosa), depicted on the special philatelic block, is widespread in Eurasia and Africa; it is a carnivorous insect whose colour helps it blend in with vegetation, deceiving both its prey (mainly other insects) and potential predators (birds, etc.).
The philatelic folder is created into a limited run printing of 218 pieces and is equipped with the special philatelic block of four imperforated stamps of the issue, along with the First Day postmark, clearly imprinted in foiling. The special philatelic block is numbered from 001 to 218.
Romfilatelia thanks Mr. Luis Popa, Grade I Scientific Researcher, Manager of the “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History, and to museographer Alexandru Iftime, Ph.D., for their specialized consultancy in the development of this postage stamps issue.
