Meeting Abstract

P3.22  Sunday, Jan. 6  Collective anti-predator behavior due to individual-based rules and social information transmission CHICOLI, A.*; BAEDER, M.; PALEY, D. A.; University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742; Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California, 91711; University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742 achicoli@umd.edu

We present a self-organizing model of group startle response behavior in two dimensions, and use it to investigate decision-making in fish schools. By overlaying probabilistic, and stochastic startle response behaviors onto a model of collective sorting in animal groups, we provide a mechanism by which group members can identify, and rapidly respond to, a potential threat. We also demonstrate a variety of startle response behaviors that can emerge from changes in individual-level interactions and threat parameters. While the model is focused on fish schools, the theoretical interpretation can be extended to other animal groups. The results from our model are considered in the context of the evolution and ecological importance of animal groups and are used to make testable predictions about startle responses and decision-making in animal groups.