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J Theor Biol

Title:		A mathematical and experimental study of ant foraging trail dynamics
Author(s):		Johnson K; Rossi LF;
Address:		"Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA"
Journal Title:		J Theor Biol
Year:		2006
Volume:		20060127
Issue:		2
Page Number:		360 - 369
DOI:		10.1016/j.jtbi.2005.12.003
ISSN/ISBN:		0022-5193 (Print) 0022-5193 (Linking)
Abstract:		"In this article, we present a mathematical model coupled to an experimental study of ant foraging trails. Our laboratory experiments on Tetramorium caespitum do not find a strong relationship between ant densities and velocities, a common assumption in traffic modeling. Rather, we find that higher order effects play a major role in observed behavior, and our model reflects this by including inertial terms in the evolution equation. A linearization of the resulting system yields left- and right-moving waves, in agreement with laboratory measurements. The linearized system depends upon Froude numbers reflecting a ratio of the energy stored in the foraging trail to the kinetic energy of the ants. The model predicts and the measurements support the existence of two distinct phase velocities"
Keywords:		"Animal Communication Animals Ants/*physiology *Feeding Behavior *Models, Biological Motor Activity/physiology Pheromones/physiology Population Density;"
Notes:		"MedlineJohnson, Katie Rossi, Louis F eng Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. England 2006/01/31 J Theor Biol. 2006 Jul 21; 241(2):360-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2005.12.003. Epub 2006 Jan 27"