Signalling and the Evolution of Cooperative Foraging in Dynamic Environments
2011
Cooperative Signalling in Dynamic Environments
Sample size: 512
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Colin J. Torney, Andrew Berdahl, Iain D. Couzin
Primary Institution: Princeton University
Hypothesis
How does cooperative signalling evolve in social foraging systems under varying environmental conditions?
Conclusion
Signalling to others can be an evolutionarily stable strategy in certain environments, even when it incurs costs.
Supporting Evidence
- Cooperative behaviour can lead to higher net benefits for all individuals in a group.
- Signalling can help track resources more effectively in dynamic environments.
- The study identifies conditions under which cooperative signalling is stable.
Takeaway
Animals can help each other find food by signaling when they find it, which can be a good strategy for survival, even if it costs them something.
Methodology
The study used numerical simulations to analyze the evolution of cooperative signalling in a turbulent environment.
Limitations
The model may not capture all real-world complexities of animal behavior and environmental interactions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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