Abstract
Collective migration occurs throughout the animal kingdom, and demands both the interpretation of navigational cues and the perception of other individuals within the group. Navigational cues orient individuals towards a destination, while it has been demonstrated that communication between individuals enhances navigation through a reduction in orientation error. We develop a mathematical model of collective navigation that synthesizes navigational cues and perception of other individuals. Crucially, this approach incorporates uncertainty inherent to cue interpretation and perception in the decision making process, which can arise due to noisy environments. We demonstrate that collective navigation is more efficient than individual navigation, provided a threshold number of other individuals are perceptible. This benefit is even more pronounced in low navigation information environments. In navigation ‘blindspots’, where no information is available, navigation is enhanced through a relay that connects individuals in information-poor regions to individuals in information-rich regions. As an expository case study, we apply our framework to minke whale migration in the northeast Atlantic Ocean, and quantify the decrease in navigation ability due to anthropogenic noise pollution.
Highlights
Many animals routinely migrate long distances; spectacular examples include the pole-to-pole flights of Arctic terns and the transoceanic migrations of many whale species [1,2]
We demonstrate that communication results in a significant increase in navigation performance, provided that an individual can observe sufficiently many other individuals to overcome the uncertainty in communication
The consistency of migration relies on the ability of animals to detect appropriate orienteering cues and/or to perceive group members that are migrating towards the same target
Summary
Many animals routinely migrate long distances; spectacular examples include the pole-to-pole flights of Arctic terns and the transoceanic migrations of many whale species [1,2]. Navigational cues may be interpreted in combination, or an animal may switch from a cue suitable for long-distance migration to a cue suitable for precise navigation when close to the destination [6,7]. Migrations are conducted as a group and there is significant interest in the extent to which the ‘wisdom of the crowd’ improves navigation performance. Improvement may arise from group heterogeneity, where knowledgeable individuals take on a leadership role, but is hypothesized to occur in a homogeneous population through the ‘many wrongs’ principal of navigation. As an example, homing pigeons display improved homing behaviour when travelling in a small flock, compared to when flying solo [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
