Computational model of collective nest selection by ants with heterogeneous acceptance thresholds

Abstract

Collective decision-making is a characteristic of societies ranging from ants to humans. The antTemnothorax albipennisis known to use quorum sensing to collectively decide on a new home emigration to a new nest site occurs when the number of ants favouring the new site becomes quorate. There are several possible mechanisms by which ant colonies can select the best nest site among alternatives based on a quorum mechanism. In this study, we use computational models to examine the implications of heterogeneous acceptance thresholds across individual ants in collective nest choice behaviour.