Mathematical Model of Synchronization of Behaviour in Pairs

摘要

Animals living in pairs often benefit from making behavioural switches synchronously. However, there is a trade-off between the need to synchronize and the need to stick to the individually different ideal time for the switch . We model this situation, assuming two mechanisms for achieving synchronization: either to be ready before the ideal individual moment, or to wait beyond it. The model identifies an optimal combination of readiness and waiting that brings the maximum benefit, in dependence of parameters including relative costs of non-synchrony, acting too early, and acting too late . The model is examined in two variants, without or with communication between the animals about their preparedness to synchronize.