Modelling the Emergence and Collapse of Eusociality
Organised by -
Robert Gowers
Abstract -
Why and how eusociality evolved in certain animals has been a puzzling question for many years. Many different hypotheses have been advanced to explain this, but later studies have shown that simple explanations are insufficient to account for all different species types. Mathematical models have been devised (see the third reference) that detail how different evolutionary traits allow for eusociality. However, many questions still remain.
Aims and Objectives -
This project intends to create a simple model of a population with some genetic traits to see not only how eusociality can emerge, but also how it can collapse. How robust is a eusocial population to perturbations? Can a species simply revert back to solitary behaviour after being eusocial, or will it simply die off?
More specific objectives and information will be added closer to the time of the retreat.
Of Interest to -
People who like population models, people who like genetic models, people who like ants.
Resources Necessary -
No special software should be required.
References -
Eusociality, origin and consequences, http://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/102/38/13367.full.pdf
The evolution of eusociality, https://www.nature.com/articles/nature09205
A unified model of Hymenopteran preadaptations that trigger the evolutionary transition to eusociality, https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15920