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Efficiency and robustness in ant networks of galleries

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  • J. Buhl
  • J. Gautrais
  • R. Solé
  • P. Kuntz
  • S. Valverde
  • J. Deneubourg
  • G. Theraulaz

Abstract

Recent theoretical and empirical studies have focused on the topology of large networks of communication/interactions in biological, social and technological systems. Most of them have been studied in the scope of the small-world and scale-free networks’ theory. Here we analyze the characteristics of ant networks of galleries produced in a 2-D experimental setup. These networks are neither small-worlds nor scale-free networks and belong to a particular class of network, i.e. embedded planar graphs emerging from a distributed growth mechanism. We compare the networks of galleries with both minimal spanning trees and greedy triangulations. We show that the networks of galleries have a path system efficiency and robustness to disconnections closer to the one observed in triangulated networks though their cost is closer to the one of a tree. These networks may have been prevented to evolve toward the classes of small-world and scale-free networks because of the strong spatial constraints under which they grow, but they may share with many real networks a similar trend to result from a balance of constraints leading them to achieve both path system efficiency and robustness at low cost. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg 2004

Suggested Citation

  • J. Buhl & J. Gautrais & R. Solé & P. Kuntz & S. Valverde & J. Deneubourg & G. Theraulaz, 2004. "Efficiency and robustness in ant networks of galleries," The European Physical Journal B: Condensed Matter and Complex Systems, Springer;EDP Sciences, vol. 42(1), pages 123-129, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurphb:v:42:y:2004:i:1:p:123-129
    DOI: 10.1140/epjb/e2004-00364-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Viana, Matheus P. & Fourcassié, Vincent & Perna, Andrea & Costa, Luciano da F. & Jost, Christian, 2013. "Accessibility in networks: A useful measure for understanding social insect nest architecture," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 38-45.
    2. Jacques Gautrais & Jérôme Buhl & Sergi Valverde & Pascale Kuntz & Guy Theraulaz, 2014. "The Role of Colony Size on Tunnel Branching Morphogenesis in Ant Nests," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(10), pages 1-11, October.
    3. Sohouenou, Philippe Y.R. & Christidis, Panayotis & Christodoulou, Aris & Neves, Luis A.C. & Presti, Davide Lo, 2020. "Using a random road graph model to understand road networks robustness to link failures," International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection, Elsevier, vol. 29(C).
    4. Zhaowei Yin & Yuanyuan Guo & Mengshu Zhou & Yixuan Wang & Fengliang Tang, 2024. "Integration between Dockless Bike-Sharing and Buses: The Effect of Urban Road Network Characteristics," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-24, August.
    5. Lia Papadopoulos & Pablo Blinder & Henrik Ronellenfitsch & Florian Klimm & Eleni Katifori & David Kleinfeld & Danielle S Bassett, 2018. "Comparing two classes of biological distribution systems using network analysis," PLOS Computational Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(9), pages 1-31, September.
    6. Wang, Xuesong & You, Shikai & Wang, Ling, 2017. "Classifying road network patterns using multinomial logit model," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 104-112.
    7. Guénaël Cabanes & Ellen van Wilgenburg & Madeleine Beekman & Tanya Latty, 2015. "Ants build transportation networks that optimize cost and efficiency at the expense of robustness," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 26(1), pages 223-231.
    8. Li, Jia & Li, Chengqian & Zhao, Xiaohua & Wang, Xuesong, 2024. "Do road network patterns and points of interest influence bicycle safety? Evidence from dockless bike sharing in China and policy implications for traffic safety planning," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 21-35.
    9. Zhang, Tong & Zeng, Zhe & Jia, Tao & Li, Jing, 2016. "Examining the amenability of urban street networks for locating facilities," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 457(C), pages 469-479.
    10. Lordan, Oriol & Sallan, Jose M. & Simo, Pep, 2014. "Study of the topology and robustness of airline route networks from the complex network approach: a survey and research agenda," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 112-120.

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