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Chaotic, Fractional, and Complex Dynamics: New Insights and Perspectives pp 35–64Cite as

Fireflies: A Paradigm in Synchronization

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Abstract

Synchronous flashing in Fireflies is perhaps the first observed natural phenomenon displaying synchronization of a large ensemble. During a long time, this collective behavior was not recognized and validated as synchronous, but nowadays it constitutes a paradigmatic example of synchronization. In this chapter, we explain biological aspects related to fireflies flashing and their functionality. The response to synchronization observed in some firefly species is illustrated utilizing a model based on electronic fireflies, and we explore the consequences of the firefly courtship as a whole process including the males’ synchronization and the corresponding females’ response. Some other aspects are pointed out, such as fireflies inspired models for communication networks, and the use of firefly synchronization concept in mobile networks and other devices. Finally, we explore the actual applications inspired in fireflies synchronicity and also the perspectives both in biomedical issues and in technological systems including robotics. This chapter attempts to reveal the most important aspects related to firefly synchronization providing an extensive bibliography which allows the reader to deepen in all the exciting and fascinating issues linked to the firefly behavior.

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Acknowledgements

J.K. acknowledges IRTG 1740 (DFG). J.-L.D. is senior research associate from the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS). We are grateful to S. Depickère for the careful reading of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Casilla 8635, La Paz, Bolivia

    G. M. Ramírez-Ávila

  2. Institut für Physik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Robert-Koch-Platz 4, 10115, Berlin, Germany

    J. Kurths

  3. Potsdam Institut für Klimafolgenforschung, P.O. Box 60 12 03, 14412, Potsdam, Germany

    J. Kurths

  4. Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Biology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK

    J. Kurths

  5. Department of Control Theory, Nizhny Novgorod State University, 606950, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

    J. Kurths

  6. Center for Nonlinear Phenomena and Complex Systems, CP231, Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    J. L. Deneubourg

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  1. G. M. Ramírez-Ávila
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  2. J. Kurths
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  3. J. L. Deneubourg
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Correspondence to G. M. Ramírez-Ávila .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Stern College for Women, Yeshiva University, New York, New York, USA

    Mark Edelman

  2. INPE/LAC, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciai, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Elbert E. N. Macau

  3. Departamento de Fisica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain

    Miguel A. F. Sanjuan

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Ramírez-Ávila, G.M., Kurths, J., Deneubourg, J.L. (2018). Fireflies: A Paradigm in Synchronization. In: Edelman, M., Macau, E., Sanjuan, M. (eds) Chaotic, Fractional, and Complex Dynamics: New Insights and Perspectives. Understanding Complex Systems. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68109-2_3

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