A minimal model of the phase transition into thermoregulatory huddling

Authors:
Jonathan Glancy;Roderich Groß;Stuart P. Wilson
Affiliations:
The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK;The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK;The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
Venue:
Living Machines'13 Proceedings of the Second international conference on Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems
Year:
2013

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Self-Organization in Biological Systems

Self-Organization in Biological Systems
Huddling behavior as critical phase transition triggered by low temperatures

Complexity

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Abstract

Huddling by endotherms is an important model through which to study the emergence of complexity. Canals et al. (2011) have recently described the emergence of huddling in rodents as a phase transition mediated by the ambient environmental temperature [1]. We present an agent-based model as a minimal account of the reported transition to huddling at low temperatures. Simulation results suggest that the huddle self-organises as ambient temperature changes drive individuals from 'orient-from-contacts' to 'orient-to-contact' behaviours.