Zabzina, N, Dussutour, A, Mann, RP et al. (2 more authors) (2014) Symmetry restoring bifurcation in collective decision-making. PLoS Computational Biology, 10 (12). e1003960. ISSN 1553-734X
Abstract
How social groups and organisms decide between alternative feeding sites or shelters has been extensively studied both experimentally and theoretically. One key result is the existence of a symmetry-breaking bifurcation at a critical system size, where there is a switch from evenly distributed exploitation of all options to a focussed exploitation of just one. Here we present a decision-making model in which symmetry-breaking is followed by a symmetry restoring bifurcation, whereby very large systems return to an even distribution of exploitation amongst options. The model assumes local positive feedback, coupled with a negative feedback regulating the flow toward the feeding sites. We show that the model is consistent with three different strains of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum, choosing between two feeding sites. We argue that this combination of feedbacks could allow collective foraging organisms to react flexibly in a dynamic environment.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2014, Zabzina et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Mathematics (Leeds) > Statistics (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 02 Oct 2015 08:59 |
Last Modified: | 02 Oct 2015 09:00 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003960 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Public Library of Science |
Identification Number: | 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003960 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:88983 |