Democracy amongst Cockroaches....no need to invade George!

[Guest guest]

Cockroaches Make Group Decisions

By Jennifer Viegas, Animal Planet News

 

March 30, 2006 — Cockroaches govern themselves in a very simple

democracy where each insect has equal standing and group

consultations precede decisions that affect the entire group,

indicates a new study.

 

The research determined that cockroach decision-making follows a

predictable pattern that could explain group dynamics of other

insects and animals, such as ants, spiders, fish and even cows.

 

Cockroaches, Blattella germanica, are silent creatures, save perhaps

for the sound of them scurrying over a countertop. They therefore

must communicate without vocalizing.

 

" Cockroaches use chemical and tactile communication with each other, "

said José Halloy, who co-authored the research, which is outlined in

this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. " They

can also use vision. "

 

Halloy, a scientist in the Department of Social Ecology at the Free

University of Brussels in Belgium, added, " When they encounter each

other they recognize if they belong to the same colony thanks to

their antennas that are 'nooses,' that is, sophisticated olfactory

organs that are very sensitive. "

 

Halloy tested cockroach group behavior by placing the insects in a

dish that contained three shelters. The test was to see how the

cockroaches would divide themselves into the shelters.

 

After much " consultation, " through antenna probing, touching and

more, the cockroaches divided themselves up perfectly within the

shelters. For example, if 50 insects were placed in a dish with three

shelters, each with a capacity for 40 bugs, 25 roaches huddled

together in the first shelter, 25 gathered in the second shelter, and

the third was left vacant.

 

When the researchers altered this setup so that it had three shelters

with a capacity for more than 50 insects, all of the cockroaches

moved into the first " house. "

 

Halloy and his colleagues found that a balance existed between

cooperation and competition for resources.

 

He explained to Animal Planet News, " Cockroaches are gregarious

insects (that) benefit from living in groups. It increases their

reproductive opportunities, (promotes) sharing of resources like

shelter or food, prevents desiccation by aggregating more in dry

environments, etc. So what we show is that these behavioral models

allow them to optimize group size. "

 

The models are so predictable that they could explain other insect

and animal group behaviors, such as how some fish and bugs divide

themselves up so neatly into subgroups, and how certain herding

animals make simple decisions that do not involve leadership.

 

David Sumpter, an Oxford University zoologist, told Animal Planet

News that the new study " is an excellent paper. "

 

Sumpter continued, " It is important because it looks both at the

mechanisms underlying decision-making by animals and how those

mechanisms produce a distribution of animals amongst resource sites

that optimizes their individual fitness. Much previous research has

concentrated on either mechanisms or optimality at the expense of the

other. "

 

For cockroaches, it seems, cooperation comes naturally.

 

 

Primary Classification: Blattaria or Blattodea (Cockroaches)

Location: Tropical regions worldwide

Habitat: A variety including leaf litter, bat caves, bromeliads,

households and the splash zone of waterfalls.

Diet: A wide variety including decomposing leaf litter and fecal

matter.

Size: From 0.4 to 3.6 inches in length.

Description: Dark, earthy colors; flat, oval-shaped body; long

antennae; sensory bristles that extend posteriorly from the abdomen;

winged or wingless

Cool Facts: There are at least 4,000 known species of cockroach. They

have a variety of bacteria and protozoans in their gut that enable

them to feed on decomposing matter, thus allowing them to play an

important role in their respective ecosystems.

Conservation Status: Common

 

 

wonder if they'll ever elect a bushroach?......bob

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/1/2006 6:46:09 AM Pacific Standard Time,

Nisargadatta writes:

 

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 10:46:23 -0000

" Bob N. " <Roberibus111

Democracy amongst Cockroaches....no need to invade George!

 

Cockroaches Make Group Decisions

By Jennifer Viegas, Animal Planet News

 

March 30, 2006 — Cockroaches govern themselves in a very simple

democracy where each insect has equal standing and group

consultations precede decisions that affect the entire group,

indicates a new study.

 

The research determined that cockroach decision-making follows a

predictable pattern that could explain group dynamics of other

insects and animals, such as ants, spiders, fish and even cows.

 

Cockroaches, Blattella germanica, are silent creatures, save perhaps

for the sound of them scurrying over a countertop. They therefore

must communicate without vocalizing.

 

" Cockroaches use chemical and tactile communication with each other, "

said José Halloy, who co-authored the research, which is outlined in

this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. " They

can also use vision. "

 

Halloy, a scientist in the Department of Social Ecology at the Free

University of Brussels in Belgium, added, " When they encounter each

other they recognize if they belong to the same colony thanks to

their antennas that are 'nooses,' that is, sophisticated olfactory

organs that are very sensitive. "

 

Halloy tested cockroach group behavior by placing the insects in a

dish that contained three shelters. The test was to see how the

cockroaches would divide themselves into the shelters.

 

After much " consultation, " through antenna probing, touching and

more, the cockroaches divided themselves up perfectly within the

shelters. For example, if 50 insects were placed in a dish with three

shelters, each with a capacity for 40 bugs, 25 roaches huddled

together in the first shelter, 25 gathered in the second shelter, and

the third was left vacant.

 

When the researchers altered this setup so that it had three shelters

with a capacity for more than 50 insects, all of the cockroaches

moved into the first " house. "

 

Halloy and his colleagues found that a balance existed between

cooperation and competition for resources.

 

He explained to Animal Planet News, " Cockroaches are gregarious

insects (that) benefit from living in groups. It increases their

reproductive opportunities, (promotes) sharing of resources like

shelter or food, prevents desiccation by aggregating more in dry

environments, etc. So what we show is that these behavioral models

allow them to optimize group size. "

 

The models are so predictable that they could explain other insect

and animal group behaviors, such as how some fish and bugs divide

themselves up so neatly into subgroups, and how certain herding

animals make simple decisions that do not involve leadership.

 

David Sumpter, an Oxford University zoologist, told Animal Planet

News that the new study " is an excellent paper. "

 

Sumpter continued, " It is important because it looks both at the

mechanisms underlying decision-making by animals and how those

mechanisms produce a distribution of animals amongst resource sites

that optimizes their individual fitness. Much previous research has

concentrated on either mechanisms or optimality at the expense of the

other. "

 

For cockroaches, it seems, cooperation comes naturally.

 

 

Primary Classification: Blattaria or Blattodea (Cockroaches)

Location: Tropical regions worldwide

Habitat: A variety including leaf litter, bat caves, bromeliads,

households and the splash zone of waterfalls.

Diet: A wide variety including decomposing leaf litter and fecal

matter.

Size: From 0.4 to 3.6 inches in length.

Description: Dark, earthy colors; flat, oval-shaped body; long

antennae; sensory bristles that extend posteriorly from the abdomen;

winged or wingless

Cool Facts: There are at least 4,000 known species of cockroach. They

have a variety of bacteria and protozoans in their gut that enable

them to feed on decomposing matter, thus allowing them to play an

important role in their respective ecosystems.

Conservation Status: Common

 

 

wonder if they'll ever elect a bushroach?......bob

 

 

 

 

I think it's as absurd to conclude that the roaches are 'deciding' as it is

to conclude that geese have been to flight navigation school. Do they really

think the roaches are counting on their little fingers and toes to make sure

they divide up equally? The communication that's going on is with the

consciousness that sources their existence, which arrives in the form of

instinctual

behavior. Maybe we shouldn't mistake a lack of elegance for sophisticated

communication.

 

Phil

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Nisargadatta , ADHHUB wrote:

>

>

> In a message dated 4/1/2006 6:46:09 AM Pacific Standard Time,

> Nisargadatta writes:

>

> Sat, 01 Apr 2006 10:46:23 -0000

> " Bob N. " <Roberibus111

> Democracy amongst Cockroaches....no need to invade George!

>

> Cockroaches Make Group Decisions

> By Jennifer Viegas, Animal Planet News

>

> March 30, 2006 †" Cockroaches govern themselves in a very simple

> democracy where each insect has equal standing and group

> consultations precede decisions that affect the entire group,

> indicates a new study.

>

> The research determined that cockroach decision-making follows a

> predictable pattern that could explain group dynamics of other

> insects and animals, such as ants, spiders, fish and even cows.

>

> Cockroaches, Blattella germanica, are silent creatures, save

perhaps

> for the sound of them scurrying over a countertop. They therefore

> must communicate without vocalizing.

>

> " Cockroaches use chemical and tactile communication with each

other, "

> said José Halloy, who co-authored the research, which is outlined

in

> this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. " They

> can also use vision. "

>

> Halloy, a scientist in the Department of Social Ecology at the

Free

> University of Brussels in Belgium, added, " When they encounter

each

> other they recognize if they belong to the same colony thanks to

> their antennas that are 'nooses,' that is, sophisticated olfactory

> organs that are very sensitive. "

>

> Halloy tested cockroach group behavior by placing the insects in a

> dish that contained three shelters. The test was to see how the

> cockroaches would divide themselves into the shelters.

>

> After much " consultation, " through antenna probing, touching and

> more, the cockroaches divided themselves up perfectly within the

> shelters. For example, if 50 insects were placed in a dish with

three

> shelters, each with a capacity for 40 bugs, 25 roaches huddled

> together in the first shelter, 25 gathered in the second shelter,

and

> the third was left vacant.

>

> When the researchers altered this setup so that it had three

shelters

> with a capacity for more than 50 insects, all of the cockroaches

> moved into the first " house. "

>

> Halloy and his colleagues found that a balance existed between

> cooperation and competition for resources.

>

> He explained to Animal Planet News, " Cockroaches are gregarious

> insects (that) benefit from living in groups. It increases their

> reproductive opportunities, (promotes) sharing of resources like

> shelter or food, prevents desiccation by aggregating more in dry

> environments, etc. So what we show is that these behavioral models

> allow them to optimize group size. "

>

> The models are so predictable that they could explain other insect

> and animal group behaviors, such as how some fish and bugs divide

> themselves up so neatly into subgroups, and how certain herding

> animals make simple decisions that do not involve leadership.

>

> David Sumpter, an Oxford University zoologist, told Animal Planet

> News that the new study " is an excellent paper. "

>

> Sumpter continued, " It is important because it looks both at the

> mechanisms underlying decision-making by animals and how those

> mechanisms produce a distribution of animals amongst resource

sites

> that optimizes their individual fitness. Much previous research

has

> concentrated on either mechanisms or optimality at the expense of

the

> other. "

>

> For cockroaches, it seems, cooperation comes naturally.

>

>

> Primary Classification: Blattaria or Blattodea (Cockroaches)

> Location: Tropical regions worldwide

> Habitat: A variety including leaf litter, bat caves, bromeliads,

> households and the splash zone of waterfalls.

> Diet: A wide variety including decomposing leaf litter and fecal

> matter.

> Size: From 0.4 to 3.6 inches in length.

> Description: Dark, earthy colors; flat, oval-shaped body; long

> antennae; sensory bristles that extend posteriorly from the

abdomen;

> winged or wingless

> Cool Facts: There are at least 4,000 known species of cockroach.

They

> have a variety of bacteria and protozoans in their gut that enable

> them to feed on decomposing matter, thus allowing them to play an

> important role in their respective ecosystems.

> Conservation Status: Common

>

>

> wonder if they'll ever elect a bushroach?......bob

>

>

>

>

> I think it's as absurd to conclude that the roaches are 'deciding'

as it is

> to conclude that geese have been to flight navigation school. Do

they really

> think the roaches are counting on their little fingers and toes to

make sure

> they divide up equally? The communication that's going on is with

the

> consciousness that sources their existence, which arrives in the

form of instinctual

> behavior. Maybe we shouldn't mistake a lack of elegance for

sophisticated

> communication.

>

> Phil

>

> I agree!...this was posted in fun....bob

> (although I think they might have enough

intelligence to see GBW's wisdom).bn

>

[Guest guest]

Nisargadatta , ADHHUB wrote:

>

>

> In a message dated 4/1/2006 6:46:09 AM Pacific Standard Time,

> Nisargadatta writes:

>

> Sat, 01 Apr 2006 10:46:23 -0000

> " Bob N. " <Roberibus111

> Democracy amongst Cockroaches....no need to invade George!

>

> Cockroaches Make Group Decisions

> By Jennifer Viegas, Animal Planet News

>

> March 30, 2006 †" Cockroaches govern themselves in a very simple

> democracy where each insect has equal standing and group

> consultations precede decisions that affect the entire group,

> indicates a new study.

>

> The research determined that cockroach decision-making follows a

> predictable pattern that could explain group dynamics of other

> insects and animals, such as ants, spiders, fish and even cows.

>

> Cockroaches, Blattella germanica, are silent creatures, save

perhaps

> for the sound of them scurrying over a countertop. They therefore

> must communicate without vocalizing.

>

> " Cockroaches use chemical and tactile communication with each

other, "

> said José Halloy, who co-authored the research, which is outlined

in

> this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. " They

> can also use vision. "

>

> Halloy, a scientist in the Department of Social Ecology at the

Free

> University of Brussels in Belgium, added, " When they encounter

each

> other they recognize if they belong to the same colony thanks to

> their antennas that are 'nooses,' that is, sophisticated olfactory

> organs that are very sensitive. "

>

> Halloy tested cockroach group behavior by placing the insects in a

> dish that contained three shelters. The test was to see how the

> cockroaches would divide themselves into the shelters.

>

> After much " consultation, " through antenna probing, touching and

> more, the cockroaches divided themselves up perfectly within the

> shelters. For example, if 50 insects were placed in a dish with

three

> shelters, each with a capacity for 40 bugs, 25 roaches huddled

> together in the first shelter, 25 gathered in the second shelter,

and

> the third was left vacant.

>

> When the researchers altered this setup so that it had three

shelters

> with a capacity for more than 50 insects, all of the cockroaches

> moved into the first " house. "

>

> Halloy and his colleagues found that a balance existed between

> cooperation and competition for resources.

>

> He explained to Animal Planet News, " Cockroaches are gregarious

> insects (that) benefit from living in groups. It increases their

> reproductive opportunities, (promotes) sharing of resources like

> shelter or food, prevents desiccation by aggregating more in dry

> environments, etc. So what we show is that these behavioral models

> allow them to optimize group size. "

>

> The models are so predictable that they could explain other insect

> and animal group behaviors, such as how some fish and bugs divide

> themselves up so neatly into subgroups, and how certain herding

> animals make simple decisions that do not involve leadership.

>

> David Sumpter, an Oxford University zoologist, told Animal Planet

> News that the new study " is an excellent paper. "

>

> Sumpter continued, " It is important because it looks both at the

> mechanisms underlying decision-making by animals and how those

> mechanisms produce a distribution of animals amongst resource

sites

> that optimizes their individual fitness. Much previous research

has

> concentrated on either mechanisms or optimality at the expense of

the

> other. "

>

> For cockroaches, it seems, cooperation comes naturally.

>

>

> Primary Classification: Blattaria or Blattodea (Cockroaches)

> Location: Tropical regions worldwide

> Habitat: A variety including leaf litter, bat caves, bromeliads,

> households and the splash zone of waterfalls.

> Diet: A wide variety including decomposing leaf litter and fecal

> matter.

> Size: From 0.4 to 3.6 inches in length.

> Description: Dark, earthy colors; flat, oval-shaped body; long

> antennae; sensory bristles that extend posteriorly from the

abdomen;

> winged or wingless

> Cool Facts: There are at least 4,000 known species of cockroach.

They

> have a variety of bacteria and protozoans in their gut that enable

> them to feed on decomposing matter, thus allowing them to play an

> important role in their respective ecosystems.

> Conservation Status: Common

>

>

> wonder if they'll ever elect a bushroach?......bob

>

>

>

>

> I think it's as absurd to conclude that the roaches are 'deciding'

as it is

> to conclude that geese have been to flight navigation school. Do

they really

> think the roaches are counting on their little fingers and toes to

make sure

> they divide up equally? The communication that's going on is with

the

> consciousness that sources their existence, which arrives in the

form of instinctual

> behavior. Maybe we shouldn't mistake a lack of elegance for

sophisticated

> communication.

>

> Phil

>

> I agree...this was posted in fun..but roaches probably are at the

same level of communication and intelligence as GWB and one or two

others I've run across recently ;-)

.....bob

>

>