Egocentric path integration models and their application to desert arthropods

DOI10.1016/J.JTBI.2005.10.003MaRDI QIDQ2202138zbMATH OpenOpenAlexWikidataFDO

Authors Tobias Merkle, Martin Rost, Wolfgang Alt

Publication date 17 September 2020

Published in Journal of Theoretical Biology (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/q-bio/0512031

zbMATH Keywords

Cartesian coordinatesdesert arthropodegocentrichomingpath integration

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Animal behavior (92D50)

Abstract: Path integration enables desert arthropods to find back to their nest on the shortest track from any position. To perform path integration successfully, speeds and turning angles along the preceding outbound path have to be measured continuously and combined to determine an internal {em global vector} leading back home at any time. A number of experiments have given an idea how arthropods might use allothetic or idiothetic signals to perceive their orientation and moving speed. We systematically review the four possible model descriptions of mathematically precise path integration, whereby we favour and elaborate the hitherto not used variant of egocentric cartesian coordinates. Its simple and intuitive structure is demonstrated in comparison to the other models. Measuring two speeds, the forward moving speed and the angular turning rate, and implementing them into a linear system of differential equations provides the necessary information during outbound route, reorientation process and return path. In addition, we propose several possible types of systematic errors that can cause deviations from the correct homeward course. Deviations have been observed for several species of desert arthropods in different experiments, but their origin is still under debate. Using our egocentric path integration model we propose simple error indices depending on path geometry that will allow future experiments to rule out or corroborate certain error types.

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Cites work

• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 3206627 (Why is no real title available?)
• The ant's path integration system: a neural architecture

Cited in

(8)

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• Animal path integration: a model of positional uncertainty along tortuous paths
• Optimal foraging by zooplankton within patches: The case of \(Daphnia\)
• \textit{Cataglyphis} desert ants improve their mobility by raising the gaster
• Path integration mediated systematic search: a Bayesian model
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• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 5262661 (Why is no real title available?)
• How miniature brains solve complex tasks

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