Approximating Mexican highways with slime mould

• DOI: 10.1007/s11047-011-9255-z
• Publication Date: 2011-06-27T18:40:34Z
• Authors: Andrew Adamatzky; Genaro J. Martínez; Sergio V. Chapa-V...; René Asomoza-Palacio; Christopher R. St...
• Keywords: Physics - Physics and Society; FOS: Physical sciences; 02 engineering and technology; Pattern Formation and Solitons (nlin.PS); Physics and Society (physics.soc-ph); 15. Life on land; Nonlinear Sciences - Pattern Formation and Solitons; 01 natural sciences; Nonlinear Sciences - Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems; 3. Good health; 0103 physical sciences; 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering; Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems (nlin.AO)

Plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum is a single cell visible by unaided eye. During its foraging behavior the cell spans spatially distributed sources of nutrients with a protoplasmic network. Geometrical structure of the protoplasmic networks allows the plasmodium to optimize transport of nutrients between remote parts of its body. Assuming major Mexican cities are sources of nutrients how much structure of Physarum protoplasmic network correspond to structure of Mexican Federal highway network? To find an answer undertook a series of laboratory experiments with living Physarum polycephalum. We represent geographical locations of major cities by oat flakes, place a piece of plasmodium in Mexico city area, record the plasmodium's foraging behavior and extract topology of nutrient transport networks. Results of our experiments show that the protoplasmic network formed by Physarum is isomorphic, subject to limitations imposed, to a network of principle highways. Ideas and results of the paper may contribute towards future developments in bio-inspired road planning.