Signatures of chaos in animal search patterns
Reynolds, A.M.; Bartumeus, F.; Kölzsch, A.; van de Koppel, J. (2016). Signatures of chaos in animal search patterns. NPG Scientific Reports 6: 23492. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep23492 In: Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group). Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 2045-2322; e-ISSN 2045-2322, more |   |
| Authors | | Top | - Reynolds, A.M.
- Bartumeus, F.
- Kölzsch, A., more
- van de Koppel, J., more
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| Abstract | One key objective of the emerging discipline of movement ecology is to link animal movement patternsto underlying biological processes, including those operating at the neurobiological level. Nonetheless,little is known about the physiological basis of animal movement patterns, and the underlying searchbehaviour. Here we demonstrate the hallmarks of chaotic dynamics in the movement patterns ofmud snails (Hydrobia ulvae) moving in controlled experimental conditions, observed in the temporaldynamics of turning behaviour. Chaotic temporal dynamics are known to occur in pacemaker neuronsin molluscs, but there have been no studies reporting on whether chaotic properties are manifest in themovement patterns of molluscs. Our results suggest that complex search patterns, like the Lévy walksmade by mud snails, can have their mechanistic origins in chaotic neuronal processes. This possibilitycalls for new research on the coupling between neurobiology and motor properties. |
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