Signatures of a globally optimal searching strategy in the three-dimensional foraging flights of bumblebees.

ABSTRACT: Simulated annealing is a powerful stochastic search algorithm for locating a global maximum that is hidden among many poorer local maxima in a search space. It is frequently implemented in computers working on complex optimization problems but until now has not been directly observed in nature as a searching strategy adopted by foraging animals. We analysed high-speed video recordings of the three-dimensional searching flights of bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) made in the presence of large or small artificial flowers within a 0.5 m(3) enclosed arena. Analyses of the three-dimensional flight patterns in both conditions reveal signatures of simulated annealing searches. After leaving a flower, bees tend to scan back-and forth past that flower before making prospecting flights (loops), whose

SUBMITTER: Lihoreau M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4961967 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature