Spatial organization

W. D. Hamilton (1971) proposed that in a non-related "herd" of animals, the spatial organization is likely a result of the selfish interests of individuals trying to acquire food or avoid predation.

It can be viewed both on a large or small scale and may also include in its discussion, the factors and conditions that lead to a specific organization pattern.

These miniature territories, or spatial fidelity zones have been described in honey bees (Apis mellifera[6]), ants (Odontomachus brunneus;[7] Temnothorax albipennis;[8] Pheidole dentata[3]), and paper wasps (Polistes dominulus,[9] Ropalidia revolutionalis[10]).

[7][8] E. O. Wilson proposed that by remaining in small, non-random areas inside the nest, the distance an individual moves between tasks may be minimized, and overall colony efficiency would increase.

This hypothesis is based on two observations: "(1) that there is spatial structure in the layout of tasks in social insect colonies and (2) that workers first become adults in or around the center of the nest".

Eventually, workers move away from the brood rearing area and begin to perform other tasks, such as food storage, guarding, or foraging.

Studies to determine these “rules” are an important area of research in computer science, basic biology, behavioral ecology, and mathematic modeling.

Spatial organization observed across social insect colonies can be considered an emergent property of a self-organized complex system.