2024/09/20 by Nam H. Le, R. W. G. Watson, Le, Nam H. +4 · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Engineering · #Artificial Intelligence (cs.AI) #FOS: Biological sciences #FOS: Computer and information sciences #Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior #Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence #Molecular Communication and Nanonetworks #Neural and Evolutionary Computing (cs.NE) #Populations and Evolution (q-bio.PE)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2409.13254
openalex publication_date 2024/09/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
This study facilitates the understanding of evolutionary transitions in individuality (ETIs) through a novel artificial life framework, named VitaNova, that intricately merges self-organization and natural selection to simulate the emergence of complex, reproductive groups. By dynamically modelling individual agents within an environment that challenges them with predators and spatial constraints, VitaNova elucidates the mechanisms by which simple agents evolve into cohesive units exhibiting collective reproduction. The findings underscore the synergy between self-organized behaviours and adaptive evolutionary strategies as fundamental drivers of ETIs. This approach not only contributes to a deeper understanding of higher-order biological individuality but also sets a new precedent in the empirical investigation of ETIs, challenging and extending current theoretical frameworks.