Summary
A simple model is described wherein ant foragers choose a foraging sector as a function of the pheromone concentration associated with each sector. The choice is autocatalytic, as foragers that find food in a sector add to its pheromone. As a sector's food runs out, the foragers spontaneously switch to the adjacent sector. With increasing food abundance, the model passes from random foraging to the formation of a trail that rotates about the nest. The greater the abundance the more slowly the trail rotates until it finally becomes fixed on one sector. These results agree with experimental observations made on the harvester antMessor pergandei byBernstein (1975) andRissing andWheeler (1976), and reconcile an apparent contradiction between them.
Resume
On présente un modèle simple de choix du secteur de fourragement par des fourmis. Ce choix se fait en fonction de la quantité de phéromone associée à chaque secteur, et est autocatalytique puisque les fourrageuses qui trouvent de la nourriture dans un secteur y ajoutent de la phéromone. Quand la nourriture d'un secteur est épuisée, les fourrageuses transfèrent spontanément leur activité vers le secteur adjacent. Si la richesse en nourriture augmente, le modèle passe d'un fourragement aléatoire à la formation d'une piste qui tourne autour du nid. Plus la richesse est élevée, plus la piste tourne lentement, jusqu'à devenir figée en un secteur. Ces résultats correspondent aux observations faites sur la fourmiMessor pergandei parBernstein (1975),Rissing etWheeler (1976). reconcilient une apparente contradiction entre eux.
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Goss, S., Deneubourg, J.L. The self-organising clock pattern ofMessor pergandei (Formicidae, Myrmicinae). Ins. Soc 36, 339–347 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224885
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224885