bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 14, 2024

Abstract Division of labor, a key feature many complex systems, requires mechanism that allows individuals to choose tasks. The popular ‘response threshold hypothesis’ posits some workers start engaging in particular tasks at lower level need than others. However, may only have access information about after they actually engage task. We therefore introduce two novel interpretations this task-allocation mechanism. While the mechanism’ determines when working, ‘satisfaction drives stop working. also model ‘composite where consider task both and end Second, we possibility stimulus perceived by is ‘completion’ cue instead ‘demand’ cue. these seem like subtle variations, show here can yield dramatically different collective dynamics. In simulations with biologically relevant parameter ranges, response thresholds produced quickest reaction increases demand, satisfaction yielded lowest task-switching rate, composite most closely matched number allocated needed. Different types thus differentially trade off speed, cost, accuracy. did not benefits specialization; purely terms allocating tasks, found usually perform worse null random choice cost efficiency, variation among does improve allocation. Colonies utilizing demand cues tend better those using completion cues. Our results ultimately suggest mechanisms be suited for situations or Author Summary labor phenomenon community consistently differ work on. Many scientists believe division arises social insects (i.e. ants bees) as result difference workers’ responsiveness correspond For example, colony feeding brood much sooner others, possibly because higher sensitivity, threshold’, pheromone. such decide on task, theoretically use it working; similarly, tells them how needed one corresponds has already been done. These seemingly differences affect invests quickly stability reached balance changes. Therefore, evolve solve problems.

Language: Английский