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Collective decision-making and behavioral polymorphism in group living organisms
S C Nicolis1, E Despland, A Dussutour
1Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, OX1 3PS Oxford, UK. snicolis@math.uu.se
Journal of Theoretical Biology
|July 24, 2008
Summary
Animal behavior polymorphism allows for coexistence of symmetric and asymmetric foraging strategies. This mathematical model explains how choice amplification in different behavioral types drives these foraging patterns.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral ecology
- Mathematical biology
- Animal behavior
Background:
- Group-living animals often exhibit behavioral polymorphism.
- Understanding collective foraging strategies is crucial in behavioral ecology.
- Previous models have not fully captured the coexistence of different foraging regimes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model the coexistence of symmetric and asymmetric foraging regimes in group-living animals with behavioral polymorphism.
- To investigate the role of differential amplification of choice based on behavioral type.
- To explain experimental findings in social caterpillars regarding foraging behavior.
Main Methods:
- Development of a mathematical model for collective foraging.
- Analysis of symmetric (spatially homogeneous) and asymmetric (spatially inhomogeneous) foraging regimes.
- Incorporation of behavioral polymorphism and choice amplification mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the coexistence of symmetric and asymmetric foraging regimes.
- Showed that differential amplification of choice, dependent on behavioral type, underlies this coexistence.
- The model aligns with experimental data from social caterpillars, linking foraging regimes to active/inactive ratios.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral polymorphism can lead to the emergence of distinct collective foraging strategies.
- Mathematical modeling provides a framework for understanding complex social behaviors in animal populations.
- The ratio of active to inactive individuals is a key factor in determining foraging regime dominance.
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