Simulation of Invertebrate Aggregation Shows the Importance of Stable Personality over Diversity in Consensus Decision-Making

Aggregation of many species of invertebrate is an example of a consensus decision, the success of which is central to survival. Personality is a stable form of behavioural diversity which has been observed in the aggregation process, but neither the reasons for its stability nor its effects on conse...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2016-10, Vol.11 (10), p.e0165082-e0165082
Main Author: Pogson, Mark
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agglomeration
Animals
Behavior
Behavior, Animal - physiology
Biodiversity
Biology and Life Sciences
Blattaria
Cockroaches
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer simulation
Decision making
Ecology
Invertebrata
Invertebrates - physiology
Isopoda
Models, Theoretical
Oniscidea
Personality
Physical Sciences
Quantitative genetics
Research and Analysis Methods
Social Sciences
Species diversity
Stability
Studies
Trends
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Summary:Aggregation of many species of invertebrate is an example of a consensus decision, the success of which is central to survival. Personality is a stable form of behavioural diversity which has been observed in the aggregation process, but neither the reasons for its stability nor its effects on consensus decisions are well understood. By using an agent-based model of invertebrate aggregation, it is found that diverse personalities have only limited benefits to the experimental consensus decision-making process, but may have a more valuable role in natural settings. Importantly, although certain personalities may ostensibly have potential drawbacks at the individual level, such as choosing to rest in unfavourable places, all individuals are likely to benefit from maintaining a constant personality, which promotes group stability. These findings help to improve understanding of consensus decision-making and the prevalence of stable personality.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0165082