Foraging ants as liquid brains: Movement heterogeneity shapes collective efficiency.

ABSTRACT: Liquid brains conceptualize living systems that operate without central control, where collective outcomes emerge from local and dynamic interactions. This concept extends beyond ants and other social insects to include immune systems, slime molds, and microbiomes. In such systems, connectivity scales with population density, facilitating more efficient information transfer as group size increases. However, in sparse conditions, where fewer individuals interact, movement likely plays a crucial role in shaping connectivity, ensuring optimal collective efficiency. We tested this hypothesis during the foraging process of Aphaenogaster senilis, an ant species that does not primarily rely on chemical communication. We empirically measured ant movement behavior and characterized their for

SUBMITTER: Fernandez-Lopez P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12337295 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature