Coupled computational simulation and empirical research into the foraging system of Pharaoh's ant (Monomorium pharaonis)

Authored by Mike Holcombe, D Jackson, F Ratnieks

DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2004.05.028

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: MATLAB

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Pseudocode

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

The Pharaoh's ant (Monontorium pharaonis), a significant pest in many human environments, is phenomenally successful at locating and exploiting available food resources. Several pheromones are utilized in the self-organized foraging of this ant but most aspects of the overall system are poorly characterised. Agent-based modelling of ants as individual complex X-machines facilitates study of the mechanisms underlying the emergence of trails and aids understanding of the process. Conducting simultaneous modelling, and simulation, alongside empirical biological studies is shown to drive the research by formulating hypotheses that must be tested before the model can be verified and extended. Integration of newly characterised behavioural processes into the overall model will enable testing of general theories giving insight into division of labour within insect societies. This study aims to establish a new paradigm in computational modelling applicable to all types of multi-agent biological systems, from tissues to animal societies, as a powerful tool to accelerate basic research. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tags

computational model X-machine ants foraging patterns pheromones self-organising systems