Using a simple model for the trail formation of ants, the relation between i)the schedule of feeding which represents the unsteady natural environment, ii)emerging patterns of trails connecting a nest with food resources, and iii)the foraging efficiency is studied. Simulations and a simple analysis show that the emergent trail pattern flexibly varies depending on the feeding schedule by which ants can make an efficient foraging according to the underlying unsteady environment.
@article{arxiv.q-bio/0407007,
title = {Flexible Foraging of Ants under Unsteadily Varying Environment},
author = {Tomomi Tao and Hiroyuki Nakagawa and Masato Yamasaki and Hiraku Nishimori},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:q-bio/0407007},
year = {2009}
}