![]() ![]() ![]() Paolo De Los Rios, Institute of Physics, EPFL) Raphaël Braunschweig ( co-supervising with Prof.We will also test the widely accepted assumption that division of labour increases the efficiency of individuals when they perform specialised tasks. We will manipulate colonies of Camponotus fellah in several ways and track changes in task allocation and in the social network of the colony. We will use this system to conduct the first thorough investigations of how environmental factors, social interactions and individual experiences affect the behavioural trajectories of workers. We have developed a system based on fiducial identification labels and video tracking to automatically follow all individuals in a colony for extended periods. This is because it has been impossible to track large numbers of individuals continuously. While the dynamic allocation of workers to various tasks is a critical aspect affecting colony efficiency and fitness, little is known about the underlying principles. This organisation provides numerous advantages and underpins the ecological success of social insects. The major organising principle of social insect societies is division of labour, with one or a few individuals specializing in reproduction, and others participating in tasks such as nest-building, foraging, rearing young and defending the colony. ![]()
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