Abstract: The study of collective synchronous behavior has primarily focused on the analysis of abstract and greatly simplified mathematical models. Many applications of these models to living systems have been proposed, but incorporation of real-world data is unfortunately rare. I will present new data and analysis regarding synchronization phenomena observed in one species of firefly from southeast Asia. Due to its relative immobility during synchronous flashing displays, this species offers a unique opportunity for reliable tracking and direct application of candidate models. We used stereo videography to document the three-dimensional behavior of multiple swarms over multiple nights. Our results show that swarms exhibit “meta oscillations” characterized by order parameters that rise and fall on an intermediate time scale. This is consistent with models suggesting a “breathing” chimera state—a unique type of spatiotemporal organization that has been the subject of extensive theoretical study, but which has rarely been observed in nature. In addition, I will present new directions that we are now taking with further recordings, analyses and potential experiments.

Bio: I am interested in how information is processed in biological systems. In particular, how information flows through biological collectives, such as fish schools. I like to combine experiments with modeling to tackle these questions. During my masters degree I worked on locust collective motion in changing landscapes.