Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP1093553

Funding Activity

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Funded Activity Summary

Chain formation in weaver ants: a new system for understanding the decision-making and problem-solving mechanisms of complex biological systems. Every day in Australia, groups of social insects solve problems with a skill beyond human capacity. Despite their tiny brains and simple behaviours, their daily activities mirror many of the same problems faced by human societies (regulating traffic flow, achieving 3-D construction tasks and modulating information transfer networks) and social insects studies have excellent track-records in providing innovative solutions. Studies of problem solving in weaver ants enhances knowledge of a significant Australian species, improves the national skill base through collaborations with overseas researchers leading this new field, and highlights Australia's role in solving internationally relevant questions, including problem-solving in complex systems.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 2010

End Date: 12-2012

Funding Scheme: Discovery Projects

Funding Amount: $233,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council