A data-driven simulation of the trophallactic network and intranidal food flow dissemination in ants

Food sharing can occur in both social and non-social species but is crucial in eusocial species in which only some group members collect food. This food collection but also intranidal food distribution through trophallactic (i.e. mouth-to-mouth) exchanges are fundamental issues in eusocial insects. However, the behavioural rules underlying the regulation and the dynamics of food intake and the resulting networks of exchanges are poorly understood. In this study, we provide new insights into the behavioural rules underlying the structure of trophallactic networks and food dissemination dynamics within the colony. We build a simple data-driven model that implements interindividual variability and division of labour to investigate the processes of food accumulation/dissemination inside the nest, both at the individual and collective levels. We also test the alternative hypotheses (no variability and no division of labour). Division of labour with inter-individual variability predicts contrary to other models the food dynamics and exchange networks. We establish the links between the interindividual heterogeneity of the trophallactic behaviours, the food flow dynamics and network of trophallactic events. Despite the relative simplicity of the model rules, efficient trophallactic networks may emerge as the ones observed in ants leading to better understanding of evolution of such societies