TABLE OF CONTENTS: Explanation of Color Plates vii
Prologue: Aims and Scope of the Book 2
Part I. Introduction to Biological Self-Organization 5
Chapter 1. What Is Self-Organization? 7
Chapter 2. How Self-Organization Works 15
Chapter 3. Characteristics of Self-Organizing Systems 29
Chapter 4. Alternatives to Self-Organization 47
Chapter 5. Why Self-Organization? 63
Chapter 6. Investigation of Self-Organization 69
Chapter 7. Misconceptions about Self-Organization 88
Part II. Case Studies 93
Chapter 8. Pattern Formation in Slime Molds and Bacteria 95
Chapter 9. Feeding Aggregations of Bark Beetles 121
Chapter 10. Synchronized Flashing among Fireflies 143
Chapter 11. Fish Schooling 167
Chapter 12. Nectar Source Selection by Honey Bees 189
Chapter 13. Trail Formation in Ants 217
Chapter 14. The Swarm Raids of Army Ants 257
Chapter 15. Colony Thermoregulation in Honey Bees 285
Chapter 16. Comb Patterns in Honey Bee Colonies 309
Chapter 17. Wall Building by Ants 341
Chapter 18. Termite Mound Building 377
Chapter 19. Construction Algorithms in Wasps 405
Chapter 20. Dominance Hierarchies in Paper Wasps 443
Part III. Conclusions 483 Chapter 21. Lessons, Speculations, and the Future of
Self-Organization 485
Notes 495
References 497
Index 525
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