Mathematical Modeling of Foundress Associations in Social Insects in Order to Understand Aggression in Cooperative Social Systems
Description
This project aims to better understand aggression in a cooperative social system, specifically within the ant species Pogonomyrmex Californicus. The queens of some populations of these ants form cooperative associations of unrelated queens during nest foundation, while others prefer to form solitary nests and may show aggression towards unwanted nest mates. Because it is difficult to collect large amounts of data from a wild population and laboratory environments cannot capture the scale of nature, we created a computer simulation based on data collected in the lab and the field that emulates the life cycle of this species of ants. By manipulating behavioral and environmental conditions and observing the results we were able to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of showing aggression in this cooperative social system.
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2016-05
Agent
- Author (aut): Scolaro, Jared Anthony
- Thesis director: Kostelich, Eric
- Committee member: Fewell, Jennifer
- Contributor (ctb): School of International Letters and Cultures
- Contributor (ctb): W. P. Carey School of Business
- Contributor (ctb): School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
- Contributor (ctb): Barrett, The Honors College