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Coordinated movements prevent jamming in an Emperor penguin huddle
Daniel P Zitterbart1, Barbara Wienecke, James P Butler
1Department of Physics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany. daniel.p.zitterbart@physik.uni-erlangen.de
Plos One
|June 16, 2011
Summary
Emperor penguins coordinate collective movements in their huddles, ensuring survival in Antarctica. These coordinated steps create waves, reorganizing the huddle and preventing penguins from being stuck on the periphery.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior
- Physics
- Biophysics
Background:
- Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) huddle for survival during Antarctic winters.
- Huddling involves tight packing, leading to jamming transitions similar to compacted colloids.
- Continuous reorganization is vital for equitable heat distribution within the huddle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the collective movement dynamics of Emperor penguin huddles.
- To understand how penguins maintain huddle integrity while allowing for individual mobility.
- To draw analogies between penguin huddling and non-equilibrium physical systems.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of Emperor penguin huddles in Antarctica.
- Analysis of collective movement patterns and huddle reorganization.
- Comparison of huddling dynamics with jamming transitions and kinetic arrest in colloids and soft glasses.
Main Results:
- Emperor penguins exhibit highly coordinated collective movements.
- Small, synchronized steps propagate as waves through the huddle every 30-60 seconds.
- These movements result in large-scale huddle reorganization, ensuring mobility and packed structure.
Conclusions:
- Penguin huddling dynamics resemble inert non-equilibrium systems like soft glasses and colloids.
- The observed intermittency and approach to kinetic arrest are key features of this collective behavior.
- Coordinated movement is crucial for Emperor penguin survival, balancing heat conservation with individual needs.
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