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Proc Biol Sci

Title:		From foraging trails to transport networks: how the quality-distance trade-off shapes network structure
Author(s):		Lecheval V; Larson H; Burns DDR; Ellis S; Powell S; Donaldson-Matasci MC; Robinson EJH;
Address:		"Department of Biology, University of York, UK. Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, USA. Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter, UK. Department of Biological Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA"
Journal Title:		Proc Biol Sci
Year:		2021
Volume:		20210421
Issue:		1949
Page Number:		20210430 -
DOI:		10.1098/rspb.2021.0430
ISSN/ISBN:		1471-2954 (Electronic) 0962-8452 (Print) 0962-8452 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Biological systems are typically dependent on transportation networks for the efficient distribution of resources and information. Revealing the decentralized mechanisms underlying the generative process of these networks is key in our global understanding of their functions and is of interest to design, manage and improve human transport systems. Ants are a particularly interesting taxon to address these issues because some species build multi-sink multi-source transport networks analogous to human ones. Here, by combining empirical field data and modelling at several scales of description, we show that pre-existing mechanisms of recruitment with positive feedback involved in foraging can account for the structure of complex ant transport networks. Specifically, we find that emergent group-level properties of these empirical networks, such as robustness, efficiency and cost, can arise from models built on simple individual-level behaviour addressing a quality-distance trade-off by the means of pheromone trails. Our work represents a first step in developing a theory for the generation of effective multi-source multi-sink transport networks based on combining exploration and positive reinforcement of best sources"
Keywords:		"Feeding Behavior Humans *Models, Biological *Pheromones collective behaviour polydomy recruitment mechanisms self-organization;"
Notes:		"MedlineLecheval, Valentin Larson, Hannah Burns, Dominic D R Ellis, Samuel Powell, Scott Donaldson-Matasci, Matina C Robinson, Elva J H eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. England 2021/04/22 Proc Biol Sci. 2021 Apr 28; 288(1949):20210430. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0430. Epub 2021 Apr 21"