A Mathematical Framework Exhibiting the Emergence of Dynamic Expansion of Task Repertoire in \emph{Pheidole dentata}

TL;DR

This paper develops a mathematical model to explain the emergence of age-related task expansion in Pheidole dentata ants, aligning theoretical predictions with experimental observations of task allocation dynamics.

Contribution

The paper introduces a broad mathematical framework for modeling age-related task repertoire expansion in ants, linking theoretical results with experimental data.

Findings

Model successfully predicts observed task allocation behaviors.

Provides a plausible explanation for age-related repertoire expansion.

Aligns theoretical predictions with experimental data.

Abstract

The division of labor (DOL) and task allocation among groups of ants living in a colony is thought to be highly efficient, and key to the robust survival of a colony. A great deal of experimental and theoretical work has been done toward gaining a clear understanding of the evolution of, and underlying mechanisms of these phenomena. Much of this research has utilized mathematical modeling. Here we continue this tradition by developing a mathematical model for a particular aspect of task allocation, known as age-related repertoire expansion, that has been observed in the minor workers of the ant species \emph{Pheidole dentata}. In fact, we present a relatively broad mathematical modeling framework based on the dynamics of the frequency with which members of specific age groups carry out distinct tasks. We apply our modeling approach to a specific task allocation scenario, and compare our theoretical results with experimental data. It is observed that the model predicts perceived behavior, and provides a possible explanation for the aforementioned experimental results.