By
Andrea Szöllössi
Science writer
25
November 2015
Ants
are well-known for building with their bodies, but a new study has shown that
army ants can optimise traffic flow using bridges that move.
Army
ants are a predatory nomadic species: they raid other insect colonies and are
always on the move, without a permanent nest.
In
this lifestyle, finding the shortest foraging path - with sufficient workforce
left over - is crucial.
The
new research shows they adjust their bridges to find that balance.
Writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences, the
scientists say their findings have implications for creating intelligent,
self-assembling systems.
Sweet
spot
Many
species of ants show many complex, collective behaviours. Fire ants form rafts,
bridges and tower structures, while weaver ants in Australia build chains that"sew" leaves together to make
nests.
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