Distinguishing between apparent and actual randomness: a preliminary examination with Australian ants.

ABSTRACT:

Abstract

The correlated random walk paradigm is the dominant conceptual framework for modeling animal movement patterns. Nonetheless, we do not know whether the randomness is apparent or actual. Apparent randomness could result from individuals reacting to environmental cues and their internal states in accordance with some set of behavioral rules. Here, we show how apparent randomness can result from one simple kind of algorithmic response to environmental cues. This results in an exponential step-length distribution in homogeneous environments and in generalized stretched exponential step-length distributions in more complex fractal environments. We find support for these predictions in the movement patterns of the Australian bull ant Myrmecia midas searching on natural su

SUBMITTER: Ferdous MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6010489 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature