On the integration of collective motion and temporal synchrony in animal collectives

Abstract

Animal groups come in diverse forms—from fish schools swimming in unison to crickets chirping in synchrony. Although these behaviors may seem considerably different to one another, they share a common mathematical core, and can therefore be considered in a unified manner. We discuss the commonalities and differences by synthesizing existing literature from both fields, encompassing both theoretical and empirical advances. We emphasize the crucial role of mixing, induced by individual movements, as a main differentiating factor. Along the way, we propose promising future directions for achieving a more comprehensive understanding of self-organized collective behavior.