Significance Social insects build some of the most complex nests found in animal kingdom. Here, we use experiments and modeling to decipher mechanisms involved coordination nest building ant Lasius niger : first characterize architecture its growth with 3D imaging techniques; then, test responses individual ants artificial stimuli. A model entirely based on experimental data confirms that level interactions rules are sufficient reproduce dynamics spatial patterns observed for real nests. Our...

The functional response is a key element in all predator-prey interactions. Although responses are traditionally modelled as being function of prey density only, evidence accumulating that predator also has an important effect. However, much the comes from artificial experimental arenas under conditions not necessarily representative natural system, and neglecting temporal dynamics organism (in particular effects depletion on estimated response). Here we present method removes these...

Self-amplification processes are at the origin of several collective decision phenomena in insect societies. Understanding these requires linking individual behavioral rules insects to a choice dynamics colony level. In homogeneous environment, German cockroach Blattella germanica displays self-amplified aggregation behavior. heterogeneous environment where shelters present, groups cockroaches collectively select one them. this article, we demonstrate that restriction behavior distinct zones...

1 The importance of two features the predator functional response (satiation and dependence) is investigated in wolf–moose interaction on Isle Royale National Park (Michigan, USA). This done by fitting comparing nine different models to observed kill rates. 2 Three observational scales (the whole island, wolf packs, or a ‘mixed’ scale) are used assess sensitivity detected properties with respect these spatial scales. 3 Independently scale statistical assumptions data structure, strong...

We report the faithful reproduction of self-organized aggregation behavior German cockroach Blattella germanica with a group robots. describe implementation biological model provided by Jeanson et al. in Alice robots, and we compare behaviors cockroaches robots using same experimental analytical methodology. show that was successfully transferred to robot despite strong differences between animals at perceptual, actuatorial, computational levels. This article highlights some major...

Interactions between individuals and the structure of their environment play a crucial role in shaping self-organized collective behaviors. Recent studies have shown that ants crossing asymmetrical bifurcations network galleries tend to follow branch deviates least from incoming direction. At level, combination this tendency pheromone-based recruitment results greater likelihood selecting shortest path colony's nest food source containing bifurcations. It was not clear however what origin...

Ventilation and drainage in termite nests are controlled by microscale morphological features of the outer walls.

Significance Termite nests are a remarkable example of functional self-organization that show how structure and function emerge on multiple length time scales in ecophysiology. To understand the process by which this arises, we document labyrinthine architecture within subterranean African termite Apicotermes lamani develop simple mathematical model relies physical biological interactions between termites, pheromones, mud nest. Our explains formation parallel floors connected linear helical...

The dynamics of a self-organised model shoaling fish are explored within Lagrangian (or individual based) framework in order to identify the key behavioural factors that shape its dynamic landscape. By exploring systematically all possible initial states we transitions and between different stationary (schooling vs. swarming or milling). route these is explained from an perspective. On level discuss particular decisive impact two traits, perception angle manoeuvrability fish. A result this...

Abstract Fitting nonlinear models to time‐series is a technique of increasing importance in population ecology. In this article, we apply it assess the predator dependence predation process by comparing two alternative equal complexity (one with and one without dependence) predator–prey time‐series. Stochasticities such data come from both observation error error. We consider how these errors must be taken into account fitting process, develop eight different model selection criteria....

The relative importance of top‐down and bottom‐up control in setting the equilibrium abundances within trophic levels is examined a comparative study on litter‐based food chain temperate deciduous forest. During two consecutive years, we estimated macroinvertebrate detritivores their predators natural gradient annual litterfall. Detritus‐based chains are thought to be classical examples donor‐controlled systems. Indeed, both showed higher sites with Therefore, they appear controlled. Using...

The last decades have seen an increasing interest in modeling collective animal behavior. Some studies try to reproduce as accurately possible the dynamics and patterns observed several groups with biologically plausible, individual behavioral rules. objective is then essentially demonstrate that features may be result of self-organizing processes involving quite simple behaviors. Other concentrate on establishing or enriching links between behavior researches cognitive physiological ones,...

The foreign exchange (FX) market is worldwide, but the dealers differ in their geographical locations (time zones), working hours, time horizons, home currencies, access to information,transaction costs, and other institutional constraints. variety of horizones large: from intra-day dealers, who close positions every evening, long-term investors central banks. Depending on constraints, different participats need strategies reach goal, which usually maximizing profit, or rather a utility...

Many spatial patterns observed in nature emerge from local processes and their interactions with the environment. The clustering of objects by social insects represents such a pattern formation process that can be at both individual collective level. In this paper, we study interaction between air currents behaviour order to address coordinating mechanisms level underlie heterogeneous We choose corpse ant Messor sanctus as an experimental paradigm. specifically designed set-up...